‘House of Guinness’ series review: Steven Knight serves up a tame drink

It’s been over a decade since Steven Knight’s Birmingham-set crime thriller Peaky Blinders gave way to the Netflix prestige drama imprint. Replicating its precise success would be a hard task, but its creator Steven Knight makes an attempt with House of Guinness. Setting up family politics against the Irish agitation for independence, Knight’s latest offering is predictable but entertaining.

Transporting us to Dublin in 1868, House of Guinness opens with the death of the Guinness brewery chief and family patriarch Benjamin Guinness. His passing sets in motion a battle between his four children about who gets to mould the influence of the Guinness empire, thus setting us up for a 19^th century Succession-style drama. While, Benjamin’s will bequeaths the company equally to his elder sons – Arthur (Anthony Boyle) and Edward (Louis Partridge) – only Edward has any real interest in the business. Meanwhile, Anne (Emily Fairn) and Benjamin (Fionn O’Shea) find themselves cast aside and their wealth at the mercy of the Arthur and Edward. With the will dissatisfying everyone, the Guinness children navigate family secrets, arranged marriages, and thinly-concealed dalliances.

Arthur is also pushed into taking over the Parliamentary seat, left vacant after his father’s demise. His half-hearted campaign is threatened by the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Led by siblings Ellen (Niamh McCormack) and Patrick (Seamus O’Hara), the “fenians” in Dublin seek to exert political influence to further the cause of Irish independence.

Over eight episodes, Knight creates a heady cocktail exploring a turbulent time in Irish history through the lens of an exceptionally influential family. Throw in political entanglements and you’ve got a winning formula. Though Knight adds his distinctive signature to make House of Guinness stand slightly apart from the crowd of such period dramas. Those going in with Peaky Blinders in mind, will find that House of Guinness tends to have moments of humour and lightness. Knight has also punctuated and drama with a remarkable playlist led by Kneecap.

A still from ‘House of Guinness’
| Photo Credit:
Netflix

Though, House of Guinness fails to pack the Steven Knight style of grit. His writing and the dialogues take a more expository turn this time around. The off-kilter pacing in the second half of the show, paired with increasingly predictable plot outcomes also doesn’t do the show any favours. Nevertheless, his presentation remains stylish and immersive, and the ensemble cast puts up a good show. Guinness family’s right-hand man Sean Rafferty played by a gruff James Norton gives a standout performance along with rebellious fighter Niamh McCormack.

House of Guinness is familiar fun, and doesn’t make any efforts to surprise the audience much.

House of Guinness is available for streaming on Netflix