If you've been searching for a show to fill the Peaky Blinders-shaped hole in your heart, Netflix has just the ticket. House of Guinness, the latest historical crime series from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, is a brutal, eight-part saga that swaps the betting shops of Birmingham for the boozy, industrial battlefields of 19th-century Dublin. It's as if Peaky Blinders met Succession—and the result is absolutely binge-worthy.
What Is 'House of Guinness' About?
The series kicks off with the death of the Guinness family patriarch, leaving his four children—Arthur (Anthony Boyle), Edward (Louis Partridge), Anne (Emily Fairn), and Benjamin (Fionn O'Shea)—to grapple with the fallout. The reading of the will throws a wrench into everyone's plans: Edward, who assumed he'd inherit the brewery, is forced to share control with his older brother Arthur, who had been eager to leave the family business behind. Meanwhile, Anne is trapped in a loveless marriage, and Benjamin can barely stay upright at his father's funeral, thanks to his drinking habits. To make matters worse, a secret political group called the Fenians is stirring up trouble, threatening the Guinness empire from the outside.
Why It's the Perfect 'Peaky Blinders' Replacement
Fans of Peaky Blinders will immediately recognize the DNA here. Both shows revolve around families fighting for power and legacy, but where the Shelbys were clawing their way up from nothing, the Guinnesses are wrestling with the weight of an already-established dynasty. The series explores succession battles, rival heirs, strategic marriages, and the immense pressure of preserving a name. It's a crime drama that feels both intimate and epic.
One of the show's biggest strengths is its grounding in true history. While Peaky Blinders took liberties with its fictionalized peaks, House of Guinness is built on well-documented historical records, giving it an extra layer of authenticity and emotional weight. As it chronicles the Guinness dynasty in late 19th-century Dublin, the series also offers a window into the social, political, and economic transformations that reshaped Ireland during one of its most consequential eras.
A Stellar Cast Brings the Drama to Life
The cast is top-notch. Anthony Boyle and Louis Partridge deliver standout performances as the warring brothers, while Emily Fairn brings quiet depth to Anne, a woman trapped by societal expectations. Fionn O'Shea's Benjamin is a tragic figure, struggling with addiction in a world that offers him little support. Outside the family, Seamus O'Hara and Niamh McCormack play the Fenian siblings Patrick and Ellen Cochrane, with Ellen quickly revealed as the true brains behind the rebellion.
With Season 2 already in the works, now is the perfect time to dive into this gripping saga. If you're looking for a show that combines historical prestige, family drama, and nail-biting tension, House of Guinness is your next obsession. It's one of those binge-worthy thrillers that will keep you glued to the screen.
So, pour yourself a pint, settle in, and get ready to meet the family behind the world's most famous stout. House of Guinness is streaming now on Netflix.
