Audiences were immediately thrown into the turbulent world of Ireland’s most famous brewing dynasty when House of Guinness premiered on Netflix on Sept. 25. This series, which was created by Peaky Blinders showrunner Steven Knight, has really gained some traction. It stars Anthony Boyle as Arthur, Louis Partridge as Edward, Emily Fairn as Anne and Fionn O’Shea as Ben. At its core, the recent arrival explores the lives of the four Guinness heirs following the death of their father, Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness.
After his passing, they struggle with grief – but they also have to reckon with inheritance, power and the huge shadow of a brewing empire. Some fans have even compared the release to the likes of Succession or Downton Abbey, since it has a rich production design and dramatic storytelling. The mix of family intrigue, political tension and historical drama has made it one of Netflix’s most talked about period shows this year. With such a dramatic first season and a finale that left viewers on edge, fans are likely wondering, will there be a season two of House of Guinness? Here’s what we know so far.
Where is ‘House of Guinness’ filmed?
Although this story is rooted in 19th-century Dublin, much of the series was filmed in England and Wales rather than Ireland. As reported by People, the production team has shared that modern Dublin has changed too much to convincingly (and easily) be used to depict the 1860s. Instead, other locations were chosen for their preserved Victorian and Georgian architecture.
Filming began in Greater Manchester and Liverpool, but Stockport’s Underbanks doubled as Dublin’s streets. Liverpool’s St. George’s Hall and Stanley Dock were also transformed into some Irish settings. This includes the Guinness Brewery itself.
Some of the more rural or aristocratic backdrops were actually shot at Penrhyn Castle in Wales and Broughton Hall in Yorkshire. These locations served as stand-ins for the Guinness family estate. Altogether the House of Guinness filming locations helped to recreate the grandeur and grit of Victorian Dublin while also providing producers with a flexible, historically authentic backdrop.
What is wrong with Anne?
One of the most intriguing characters in House of Guinness is Anne Guinness, who suffers from a mysterious illness. Her health struggles are even a central subplot, so the mystery surrounding her well-being steadily grows, as Cosmopolitan reports. Her health condition leaves her fatigued, reliant on a cane and ultimately, emotionally fragile. She even endures a miscarriage, which deepens the concern for her and highlights her deteriorating condition.
Doctors in the show are also unable to pinpoint a diagnosis, which leaves her future that much more uncertain. This is to be expected given the show’s time period, which saw a lack of medical advancements.
In real life, Anne Lee Guinness suffered from poor health for much of her life. Just like in the show, medical records from that time do not identify a clear cause for her issues. She did pass away in 1889 at the age of 50, which leads historians to believe that she suffered from a degenerative illness. Although the show does dramatize her symptoms and adds a bit more emotional depth than historic documents can provide, it does reflect the real tragedy that occurred. Anne’s life and her serious health struggles truly shaped her role within the Guinness dynasty.
What happens to Arthur Guinness?
Another big mystery in season one concerns the fate of Arthur Guinness, the eldest sibling, who faces some enormous challenges and pressures in the aftermath of his father’s death. On-screen, he reluctantly assumes control of the brewery alongside his brother Edward. However, his real ambition appears to align more with politics than business, which certainly makes things more challenging for him. Arthur campaigns for a Parliamentary seat in Dublin, but unfortunately, his election is tainted by allegations of bribery and corruption.
The finale delivers one of the most shocking twists yet. During a speech, Arthur is shot at by Patrick Cochrane (Seamus O’Hara), who wants revenge on the Guinness family. This leaves viewers unsure about whether or not he survives the violent attack. In reality, Arthur lived until 1915, per People. This would place his death way later than the period depicted in the show. This means that the assassination attempt witnessed in House of Guinness is entirely fictional, serving to amplify the drama and tension already present in the show.
This kind of creative liberty underscores the series’ approach. It blends fact with fiction to shed light on the Guinness family history and seamlessly weaves in storylines that are designed to captivate more modern audiences. This cliffhanger has become one of the many reasons that viewers are on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next.
Will there be a ‘House of Guinness’ season two?
As of now, Netflix has not officially confirmed that a second season of House of Guinness is on the way. However, in conversation with ScreenRant, Knight shared that he hopes to keep the series going. “In a perfect world, I’d like to take it on all the way into the 20th century,” he explained. “These things are not being announced, this is not decided. But if you look at even a cursory glance at the history of the Guinness family, they keep throwing up these dramas… There’s enough material there to keep us going all the way.”
In addition to this, the Irish Mirror reports that Knight had another positive update during a September House of Guinness screening. “We are going to do season two, and three and four. Yes absolutely, we are going to do this all the way to the 1960s,” he allegedly said.
Whether Netflix orders more episodes will ultimately depend on viewership numbers, critical reception and production budgets. Yet given the buzz surrounding its debut and the abundance of historical material left unexplored, a second season feels highly likely. Until an official renewal is announced, fans will have to wait and see whether Arthur’s fate and the Guinness empire will be visited on the small screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is House of Guinness?
This show is best described as historical fiction since it is only partially accurate. It draws heavily on real people and events, such as the patriarch of the family passing away and the ensuing inheritance disputes.
What year is House of Guinness set in?
Season one of the series is set in 1868, since it begins with the death of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness. The on-screen drama unfolds in the months following that event.