House of Guinness is the new Netflix drama from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight
The much-anticipated House of Guinness has finally landed on Netflix, with viewers eagerly tuning in to the eight-part series, reports the Irish Mirror.
Created by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight, the series follows the Guinness children as they navigate life after their father’s death, striving to transform the company into a world-class enterprise.
Netflix’s drama masterfully intertwines family drama, romance, politics and history, plunging audiences into the heart of 1860s Dublin.
With its breathtaking locations and incorporation of real-life figures and events, some viewers are left wondering if it’s based on a true story.
Many are also intrigued by the historical context of the show and the era it portrays. Let’s delve into that period.
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When is House of Guinness set?
The action kicks off in 1868 in Dublin, Ireland, following the death of Guinness patriarch Benjamin Lee Guinness.
His children Arthur (portrayed by Anthony Boyle), Edward (Louis Partridge), Anne Plunket (Emily Fairn) and Benjamin Junior (Fionn O’ Shea) start to look ahead to the future and growing the company.
The narrative unfolds 20 years after Ireland’s Great Famine, also known as the Great Hunger, the Famine, or the Irish Potato Famine, which spanned from 1845 to 1852.
This famine triggered a mass migration to America, hence the Irish diaspora in New York that Byron Hedges (Jack Gleeson) interacts with.
Once again, this mass exodus devastated the nation as people sought better prospects in the New World.
House of Guinness highlights the dire poverty experienced by people in Ireland, particularly those residing in the docks and the village of Cloonboo, where residents faced starvation and illness.
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Politically, tensions remained high between Catholics and Protestants.
The Guinness family were Protestant with English heritage, and like many other Protestants, they received land and benefits from England upon settling in Ireland.
In contrast, Irish Catholics endured hardship, as shown through the workers and residents of the docks.
The Irish Republican Brotherhood represented a Catholic faction seeking self-governance and independence for Ireland.
A branch of the Irish Brotherhood also operated in America, championing the independence movement from across the Atlantic.
Additionally, Ellen Cochrane (Niamh McCormack) headed The Ladies’ Committee and was politically engaged during an era when women lacked voting rights or legal protections.
Actress McCormack explained: “Ellen’s right in the middle of it all – the political chaos of the time. It was a very difficult period to live in Dublin – just 20 years after the famine, there was a generational silence and trauma.
“She would’ve seen a lot growing up, and I think that’s why she’s so passionate about Irish independence.”
She went on to say: “The Ladies’ Committee was her way of incorporating women into politics.
“At the time, women had no voice, no vote, and no real rights. So this was her stance: to modernise Irish politics and push for equality. She lives her life through those principles.”
Another intriguing aspect is the temperance movement at the time, with both Catholic and Protestant religious leaders advocating for reduced alcohol consumption, which would have been at odds with the growth of the Guinness company.
The first series takes audiences into 1869 when Arthur loses his seat in Parliament after widespread bribery and corruption were discovered among his agents, although he was not personally found guilty.
The finale concludes in the 1870s as Arthur plans to make another bid for Parliament, with the historical figure being re-elected in 1974.
House of Guinness is streaming on Netflix now
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