Netflix's 'House of Guinness' premieres with Northern England stands as 1800s Ireland backdrop

Netflix's "House of Guinness," created by Steven Knight, is an eight-part drama series that explores the family dynamics and societal tensions surrounding the iconic Guinness brewery following the death of its patriarch, Benjamin Guinness, in 1868. The series delves into the complex historical context of Ireland during this period, highlighting clashes between Catholics and Protestants and the Guinness family's Protestant, pro-British stance amid Irish discrimination under English rule. Although set primarily in 1860s Dublin and New York, the show was filmed in Northern England, including Liverpool, Manchester, North Wales, and Yorkshire, chosen for their preserved Victorian architecture that better reflects the era than modern Dublin. Executive producer Karen Wilson emphasized the difficulty of filming in Dublin due to its contemporary changes and expressed hope that the production authentically captures the historical setting. The narrative follows Benjamin Guinness's children as they navigate business challenges and familial responsibilities, depicting both the brewery's evolution and the social-political undercurrents of the time. "House of Guinness" is available for streaming on Netflix, offering viewers a dramatized yet historically informed look at a pivotal era in Irish history and the legacy of one of its most famous families.