Netflix’s House of Guinness dives into the dramatic aftermath of Sir Benjamin Guinness’s death in 1868. The show follows his four adult children – Arthur, Edward, Anne and Ben – as they inherit not only the world-famous Guinness brewery but also the weight of his powerful legacy. Across eight episodes, the siblings wrestle with ambition, betrayal and loyalty while navigating a volatile Ireland under British rule. Family secrets unravel, political alliances test their loyalties and their personal struggles collide with the burden of preserving their empire. But how true is House of Guinness?
Although the series is rooted in the lives of real Guinness descendants, the creators take considerable creative liberties. The show borrows historical figures and settings from 19th-century Dublin, but embellishes conflicts, invents plotlines and reimagines characters for heightened drama. The show draws historical inspiration, but the writers craft much of the story for television intrigue rather than strict accuracy.
What year is ‘House of Guinness’ set in?
House of Guinness begins in 1868, the year Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness died. This timing is crucial because it left his children with control over one of Ireland’s largest fortunes. The series spans the late 1860s through the 1870s, a period marked by political unrest, brewing tensions between Irish nationalists and British rule and dramatic shifts in commerce.
The show grounds its storytelling in this turbulent era, as Esquire reports, weaving real events such as the rise of the Home Rule movement into its fictionalized family drama. By setting the show in this exact time frame, creators can showcase both the brewing industry’s expansion and the intense social upheaval shaping Ireland’s future. While the historical backdrop is real, much of the actual drama among the Guinness heirs is amplified for entertainment.
Breaking down the Guinness family tree
The Guinness family tree is central to understanding the series. Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness, who Forbes notes expanded the brewery into one of the most profitable in Europe, had four children. His eldest, Arthur, inherited the title of Lord Ardilaun. Edward became a businessman and philanthropist. Anne married into another wealthy Irish family. The series loosely bases the fictional “Ben” on Benjamin Lee Guinness Jr., who lived a quieter life than his siblings.
House of Guinness reimagines their roles with sharper rivalries and darker secrets than history records. In reality, the Guinness heirs were well-educated and socially prominent, but less scandal-prone than the show suggests. The family’s influence extended far beyond beer, shaping politics, landownership and philanthropy in 19th-century Ireland, per BBC.
Was the Guinness heiress kidnapped?
One of the show’s most sensational subplots involves political radicals kidnapping Anne Guinness to seek ransom. In reality, no one ever abducted a Guinness heiress during this period. However, the Guinnesses were indeed high-profile targets. In 1986, long after the period of the show’s setting, kidnappers seized Jennifer Guinness from her luxury home in Dublin.
The Irish Independent reports that her abductors demanded a £2 million ransom ($2.7 million) and held the heir for eight days before she was rescued by police. So, while Anne’s dramatic ordeal in the series never specifically took place, real-life abductors kidnapped her descendant. The fear of violence or reprisal was something that affluent families in Ireland had to consider.
What is the Guinness family net worth?
Today, the Guinness family remains one of the wealthiest dynasties in Ireland and the UK. According to British daily newspaper The Times, the Guinness family has amassed a wealth of £856 million (or approximately $1.15 billion) in 2025. In House of Guinness, money and inheritance drive much of the drama, reflecting how financial power fueled both unity and rivalry.
The series amplifies the family’s internal battles over fortune, but the real Guinness heirs managed their business with remarkable discipline. The brewery’s long-term success shows their genuine foresight, even if the show focuses more on betrayal and intrigue.
Was Arthur Guinness assassinated?
A shocking twist in House of Guinness depicts Arthur Guinness facing an assassination attempt tied to his political leanings. In truth, no one assassinated any member of the Guinness family during the 19th century. Arthur Guinness, Lord Ardilaun, lived until 1915, dying of natural causes at the time, according to History Extra.
The show utilizes a fictionalized assassination plot to heighten suspense and highlight the political dangers of the era. While no one targeted a Guinness heir for murder, nationalist groups like the Fenians made Ireland during this era fraught with violence. By blending real unrest with imagined peril, the series captures the volatility of the period. Still, viewers should remember that this storyline is fictional, designed to add thrills rather than reflect reality.
Is ‘House of Guinness’ historically accurate?
So, how true is House of Guinness? The answer is: partially. The show draws from real people and real settings, but it dramatizes their lives heavily. Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness died in 1868, and his children inherited the brewery. They were influential in Irish society and politics. However, many of the betrayals, rivalries and assassination plots belong purely to the writers’ imagination.
The show is more of a historical melodrama than a documentary. Its accuracy lies in its atmosphere – the look of 19th-century Dublin, the brewing empire’s scale and the political unrest of Ireland under British control. For fans of historical dramas, it offers an entertaining blend of truth and fiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be a House of Guinness season two?
Netflix has not confirmed a second season yet. The first season’s reception will likely determine whether the story continues.
Where did Arthur Guinness live?
Arthur Guinness, Lord Ardilaun, lived at Ashford Castle in County Mayo and also had a home in Dublin, per Town and Country Magazine.