Netflix just dropped a new crime drama made for binge-watching — and ‘Peaky Blinders’ fans will love it

(L-R) Anthony Boyle as Arthur Guinness and Louis Partridge as Edward Guinness in "House of Guinness"
(Image credit: Ben Blackall / Netflix)

Any dedicated Guinness drinker knows that the iconic Irish stout is made to be gulped, never sipped. So, it’s rather fitting that Netflix’s new crime drama “House of Guinness” is a TV show best consumed in just a few sittings rather than savored over a longer period.

The period drama comes from “Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight, and while it’s desperately lacking a leading figure as compelling as Cillian Murphy’s Tommy Shelby, it’s sure to appeal to fans of Knight’s popular historical crime serial. It mixes many of the same ingredients, brewing a crime-fueled tale with notes of family fallout and societal corruption.

Much like the eponymous beer at its center, “House of Guinness” goes down smoothly, but unlike “a pint of the black stuff,” I didn’t find myself rushing to the bar eager to order another as the last dregs went down. It’s ultimately a dressed-up soap opera, but if you’re willing to embrace the melodrama and excuse the detectable sour hints, there’s still enough to enjoy.

“House of Guinness” may not be poised to leave the lasting legacy of Knight’s other historical crime drama, but subscribers looking for a new Netflix binge-watch will likely down all eight episodes in rapid fashion and come away mostly satisfied without a bitter aftertaste.

What is ‘House of Guinness’ about?

House of Guinness | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube House of Guinness | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube
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“House of Guinness” explores the aftermath of the death of Sir Benjamin Guinness, the beer-brewing tycoon, whose determination and salesmanship turned Guinness into one of the most popular drinks in the world.

In the wake of his death, a power vacuum is left at the top of the Guinness family, and Benjamin’s four children, Arthur (Anthony Boyle), Edward (Louis Partridge), Anne (Emily Fairn) and Ben (Fionn O’Shea), scramble to fulfill their own desires and claim positions of power within high society.

But 19th-century Ireland is in a volatile state, and beyond the messy machinations of the Guinness clan, various actors, including a pair of republican rebels (Niamh McCormack and Seamus O'Hara), are seeking to gain influence on the brewing dynasty amidst the family fallout.

‘House of Guinness’ is smooth and soapy

(L-R) Fionn O'Shea as Benjamin Guinness, Anthony Boyle as Arthur Guinness, Louis Partridge as Edward Guinness and Emily Fairn as Anne Guinness in "House of Guinness"

(Image credit: Ben Blackall / Netflix)

There’s a whiff of “Succession” about “House of Guinness.” To be clear, it's not even in the same quality ballpark as HBO’s acclaimed series, but with a focus on politicking and family drama as a group of siblings battle for control of their father’s empire, the similarities are obvious.

“House of Guinness” is at its strongest when it focuses on the uneasy dynamic between eldest son Arthur, who initially wants to wash his hands of the brewery, and Edward, who is eager to expand on Guinness's success by bringing the beer to North America. These two are forced to work together due to a clause in Benjamin’s will, with some predictably disastrous results.

Louis Partridge as Edward Guinness in "House of Guinness"

(Image credit: Ben Blackall / Netflix)

This focus on Arthur and Edward sometimes means that Anne and Ben get left in the shadows. But an early season plotline for Anne revolving around a pregnancy is a highlight, and one of the show’s most effective emotional moments. Meanwhile, Fionn O’Shea may not get the most material of the cast, but he does a surprising amount with what he’s given. Even if I struggled to see him as anyone but the loathsome Jamie from “Normal People.”

Beyond the family, James Norton’s Sean Rafferty, the brewery's overseer and enforcer, is another major player, and his increasingly grey motivations add some dynamism to the events, even if Norton’s Irish accent is a little spotty. “Game of Thrones” alum Jack Gleeson also pops up as a distant cousin, looking to carve out his own claim to the Guinness fortune and lead the charge into the U.S., and I’ve not even touched on the brother-sister Cochrane duo, who are willing to engage in acts like blackmail to gain control over the rich family.

James Norton as Sean Rafferty in "House of Guinness"

(Image credit: Ben Blackall / Netflix)

There are a lot of characters crammed in, and “House of Guinness” doesn’t always manage this balancing act well. It’s sort of like an inexperienced server being given a tray full of drinks to carry across a packed dining room; some spillage is inevitable. But with so much melodrama being thrown at viewers in rapid succession, it’s easy to skip over the numerous plot points that don’t quite land, because little time is spent dwelling on any one moment.

“House of Guinness” makes pretty liberal use of time skips between episodes, which does ensure the narrative can cover a lot of ground across just eight chapters, but it also robs viewers of seeing some pivotal moments play out. One mid-season arc involving Arthur deploying fraud to rig a parliamentary election is engaging, but viewers are robbed of seeing the fallout; instead, we are told the whole sordid affair came out in the wash after the fact.

Emily Fairn as Anne Guinness in "House of Guinness"

(Image credit: Ben Blackall / Netflix)

Sprinting at such a pace robs several plot points of significant weight. Take, for example, the episode one closer, where a yard full of Guinness barrels is set ablaze. As viewers, we are told beforehand that this will deal a major blow to the brewery, and in turn, the family's fortunes. Yet by episode two, it's relegated to yesterday's news with the next dramatic beat taking the focus.

The show may be set in the 19th century, but it employs some very modern stylistic touches. I liked the on-screen text converting 1800s monetary figures into today’s sums (inflation, eh!), but the inclusion of current-day Irish artists like Fontaines D.C and Kneecap on the soundtrack jars somewhat. I’m usually on board for a Fontaines banger in all situations, but in this case, the juxtaposition feels less successful than using more era-appropriate tunes.

Should you stream ‘House of Guinness’ on Netflix?

Niamh McCormack as Ellen Cochrane in "House of Guinness"

(Image credit: Ben Blackall / Netflix)

“House of Guinness” may have more in common with a soap opera than a prestigious drama, but so long as you set your expectations accordingly, it’s compelling enough to keep your attention through until the final episode. It’s at its best when it focuses on its core family members and their individual motivations and selfish desires, which very often bring them into conflict.

The show serves up plenty of frothy drama, and enough narrative wrinkles bookend each chapter that clicking “play next episode” is a largely enticing prospect. Yet, it's a Netflix show unlikely to live long in the memory, and none of its cast are given the tools to steal the spotlight (Anthony Boyle is perhaps the show's standout). In terms of real narrative heft, it's rather lacking.

However, it goes down easily enough. In a vast sea of streaming shows all competing for your limited attention, that’s maybe not the strongest pitch, but if you opt for “House of Guinness,” you’ll not feel all that shortchanged.

Watch "House of Guinness" on Netflix now

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Rory Mellon
Senior Entertainment Editor (UK)

Rory is a Senior Entertainment Editor at Tom’s Guide based in the UK. He covers a wide range of topics but with a particular focus on gaming and streaming. When he’s not reviewing the latest games, searching for hidden gems on Netflix, or writing hot takes on new gaming hardware, TV shows and movies, he can be found attending music festivals and getting far too emotionally invested in his favorite football team.

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