James Norton Reveals Hidden Military Detail in Netflix's House of Guinness

The Netflix period drama House of Guinness, created by Steven Knight of Peaky Blinders fame, chronicles the real-life saga of the Guinness family following the death of Benjamin Guinness. Central to the story are the Guinness heirs, who must manage their father's empire with the help of Sean Rafferty, a fictional brewery foreman created for the show and portrayed by James Norton. Norton mastered an Irish accent for the role and shared insights into subtle costume details, such as a military medal ribbon sewn into Rafferty's inner pocket, symbolizing his military background. Rafferty is portrayed as an enigmatic and complex character—both brilliant and violent—whose presence is often introduced with iconic back shots, a signature style of Knight's work. Norton also revealed that Rafferty's silver hoop earring was his own idea, adding to the character's distinctive image. Knight emphasized Rafferty's role as the intersection between the Guinness family and the outside world, describing him as the enforcer who handles the family's darker dealings.