Netflix Releases House of Guinness Dramatizing Brewing Dynasty's 1868 Transition

Netflix's "House of Guinness," created by Steven Knight, dramatizes the story of the Guinness family after the death of patriarch Sir Benjamin Guinness in 1868, focusing on the ensuing family feud and the struggle for control of the brewing empire. The series blends historical events with fictionalized elements, including dramatized personal conflicts such as Arthur Guinness's portrayal involving his sexuality, which family historians suggest is exaggerated for narrative effect. Molly Guinness, a descendant, criticized the show for unfairly depicting her ancestors with modern stereotypes and misrepresenting Sir Benjamin's philanthropic legacy. Despite mixed critical reviews, the show has gained popularity and is likened to "Peaky Blinders" and HBO's "Succession" for its exploration of family power dynamics and societal tensions in 19th-century Ireland. However, the Guinness family no longer runs the company, which merged into Diageo in 1997, and no living descendants hold executive roles, a fact that contrasts with the series' focus on family control. The show's style and pacing have been praised, though some critics note its limited insight into the brewery's business challenges during the historical period depicted.