If there is one thing Netflix is good at, it’s creating period dramas. With shows like “Bridgerton,” “Peaky Blinders” and “Anne with an E,” there is a wealth of historical stories on the platform. Now, there is a new drama that stands to be the next big thing.
“The House of Guinness” is Netflix’s newest period drama following the children of Benjamin Lee Guinness, founder of the Guinness Beer Company. The Guinness family are known for more than just beer, however; they are deeply connected with Irish history and are known for supposedly being cursed. They are still one of the richest families in Ireland to this day, and they own one of the largest breweries in the world.
“The House of Guinness” portrays the family’s difficult and harrowing history, highlighting many historical and social themes of the time. The show captures the Guinness family as the rise to the dynasty they are now, and following the four Guinness siblings as they take on this legacy is enrapturing.
Over the eight hours viewers get to spend with the family, we come to understand them as people and get to see how they change in the months after their father’s death. One of the interesting things the show did in the first episode is have the characters say themselves who they are or who others believe them to be.
Arthur Guinness is the eldest brother and is viewed as ‘Atlas’ holding the family up. He struggles to fill the role he wishes he didn’t have while also hiding a dangerous secret. Anne Plunket Guinness is the one and only daughter, and she refers to herself as the ‘cornerstone’ holding the family together. Benjamin Guinness is the family drunk and what he calls ‘the madness,” an expression referring to the troubles facing the family.
The only sibling not given a clear trait is Edward Guinness, the youngest of all the siblings and beneficiary to half of the Guinness estate with Arthur. The two are compared to brothers from Irish mythology, saying one can be trusted while the other cannot. The show allows the audience to discover which one Edward is.
When it comes to history, the show makes a point to clarify that its story is fiction based on reality. This works to their advantage, as it allows room for great dialogue and storytelling.
In the show, the audience is opened to the reality of life of Irish citizens in the late 19th century, when Ireland was still under the rule of England. The show depicts the scars of famine and hundreds of years of colonialism while simultaneously introducing historical movements like the Fenian Brotherhood. The inclusion of the Irish working-class perspective widens the view for the show, and adds stakes and depth to all of the conflict in the show.
One of the stand-out characters from the show is Ellen Cochrane, the leader of the Fieneans who functions as the brains behind every operation. Cochrane is the revolutionary mind to Edward Guinness’ traditional capitalist mind, and the pair is enchanting to watch. As these characters meet from warring sides, it is a treat to watch their push and pull as they both work to fulfill their goals.
“The House of Guinness” is shaped in an innovative and helpful way that makes the viewing experience better while also leaving room for Irish history and tradition. Characters often use Gaeilge, which is Ireland’s native language that thousands have lost to colonization. The show translates the Gaeilge for the audience in a cool way.
Another feature the show incorporates is a translation of any currency to the amount it would be today. Viewers don’t have to pull their phone out every time someone mentions a sum of money, as it is displayed with the dialogue.
The other golden addition the show had was the use of music. The orchestrations were beautiful, stylized and memorable, but the show also incorporates today’s music from well-known Irish musicians, many of them using Gaeilge. It may seem out of place in a historical show, but it works very well with the tone.
“The House of Guinness” is a show that deserves all the love it has gotten so far, with great writing and storytelling shining through in each scene. Netflix has created a show that leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat, waiting to see if the Guinness siblings will come out alright on the other side of their issues.
Each episode takes you in and brings the world of 19th-century Ireland to life, showing the world of the Guinness family as they try to not only keep their family name alive, but build a company that will be known and loved for centuries to come. Altogether, “The House of Guinness” is an epic dramatization of the life and history of one of Ireland’s famous families, paying homage to Ireland’s history and creating a show you can’t tear your eyes from.
