Acclaimed Creator’s Latest Series Garners High Praise
Steven Knight, a renowned figure in British period dramas, whose prior works include the acclaimed series Peaky Blinders and SAS Rogue Heroes, has delivered a new offering that is being hailed as one of his finest.
According to cast member James Norton, Knight’s latest period drama, House of Guinness, stands out among his impressive body of work. This sentiment is echoed by a recent listing from The Glossary Magazine, which placed the series at the top of its “21 most captivating period dramas of all time to stream next” feature.
A Glimpse into the Iconic Brewery’s Legacy
In an interview, Norton shared his enthusiasm for the project, stating that the script exemplified “Steven at his absolute best, firing on all cylinders.” The series delves into the extraordinary story of a family at the helm of the world’s most famous brewery.
Knight, speaking about the narrative, explained, “They’re young and are given the task of taking on this incredibly successful brand. The first priority is: Don’t screw it up. And the second priority is to make Guinness even bigger.”
Norton’s Character and Complex Relationships
Norton portrays Sean Rafferty, a character introduced as a lapsed Catholic from South Dublin who finds himself employed by the Guinness family. Norton admitted that prior to receiving Knight’s scripts, he hadn’t anticipated taking on a role requiring a “thick Dublin accent in mid-19th century Ireland.”
Describing his character, Norton noted Rafferty’s “weakness for love and sex.” He elaborated, “He has these complicated relationships with women of high status. And while normally he’s cool and reptilian, he starts to fall in love and it terrifies him.”
The Guinness Dynasty on Screen
Joining Norton in the series are Anthony Boyle as Arthur Guinness, Louis Partridge as Edward Guinness, Fionn O’Shea as Benjamin Guinness, and Emily Fairn as Anne Plunket, née Guinness.
The synopsis for House of Guinness, available on Netflix, outlines a period drama that follows the Arthur Guinness family in the wake of patriarch Sir Benjamin Guinness’s death. The narrative explores the profound consequences of his will and the challenges faced by his four adult children—Arthur, Edward, Anne, and Ben—as they contend with the powerful and often corrupt Guinness brewery and their intricate family feuds. The story is set against the vibrant backdrop of 19th-century Dublin and New York.
