Cheers to 'House of Guinness,' which feels like an 1860s, Irish 'Succession'

Cheers to 'House of Guinness,' which feels like an 1860s, Irish 'Succession'

David Bianculli

September 26, 2025 / 8:56 am

Steven Knight, creator of the intense British period dramas Peaky Blinders and A Thousand Blows , is back with a new, eight-part Netflix series. House of Guinness tells the story of the battle for control of the venerable Irish brewing company in the 1860s.

Let's begin by noting the way Knight begins House of Guinness : He starts with a very unusual, and very freeing, disclaimer. "This fiction," it says in a message superimposed on the screen, "is inspired by true stories."

Right up front, that gives Knight the creative license to do just about anything he wants with his story and his characters, even though it's taking its inspiration from actual event