Fans of Netflix are buzzing about a new “addictive” miniseries from Steven Knight, the mind behind Peaky Blinders.
From 2013 to 2022, Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Tommy Shelby was omnipresent across the internet.
The series, Peaky Blinders, depicted the rise of the Shelby family, who, in the aftermath of World War I in Birmingham, UK, constructed a criminal empire amidst gang rivalries, political intrigue, and familial tensions.
Initially premiering on the BBC, Peaky Blinders charted the Shelbys’ journey from local bookmakers to global influencers before becoming available on Netflix worldwide.
On Thursday, September 25, Steven Knight launched a highly awaited series about another complex family.
In just three days post-release, this TV series climbed to the third most-watched spot on Netflix globally, amassing 35.7 million viewing hours. It trailed behind the engaging Jude Law miniseries Black Rabbit and the Mae Martin thriller, Wayward.
Set in Dublin, Ireland, this series delves into the fierce competition for the Guinness brewery over eight tense episodes.
Following the demise of its leader, Sir Benjamin Lee, his grown children find themselves in disarray. Arthur Guinness (Anthony Boyle) grapples with leadership responsibilities, while his ambitious brother Edward (Louis Partridge) and overlooked sister Anne Plunket (Emily Fairn) jostle for control, leaving the youngest, Ben (Fionn O’Shea), caught in the conflict.
They also contend with the machinations of their cousin Byron Hedges (portrayed by Jack Gleeson from Game of Thrones) and their domineering Aunt Agnes (Dervla Kirwan), amidst betrayals and political threats that could dismantle their dynasty.
The series, House of Guinness, has captivated fans, many of whom have admitted to binge-watching it.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the series received a solid 89% from critics, though fans rated it at 62%. Despite the mixed reviews, many viewers were quick to commend the show.
One viewer confessed, “I ended up binging this – that was not my intention. The one complaint I have is that it’s very annoying that series now always end in cliffhangers. I will be very annoyed if there’s no season 2.”
Another echoed this sentiment: “Easy to watch, great set design and costumes. Love all characters. Season 2 would be very welcome in my household.”
A social media user commented, “It’s very addictive after the first episode, the script has some great lines, the story is authentic, excellent pacing and Anthony Boyle is a scene-stealer as Arthur Guinness. It’s definitely one to get into.”
However, not all feedback was positive, as some took issue with the use of modern music in a historical setting and others found the dialogue to be ‘cringey.’
Despite some lower ratings, there is a clear desire for a second season of House of Guinness.
Currently, there are no announcements about future seasons. As a miniseries, the prospects for renewal remain uncertain.
Steven Knight has hinted at the potential for continuing the Guinness family saga, revealing to RadioTimes.com that he has “obviously thought about where it can go and how far it can go.” He stated, “You always have an ambition to take it all the way… but we will see.”
Speaking to ScreenRant, Knight expressed that ‘in a perfect world’ he hopes to extend House of Guinness ‘all the way into the 20th century.’
“These things are not being announced, this is not decided,” he noted. “But if you look at even a cursory glance at the history of the Guinness family, they keep throwing up these dramas. They keep making these mistakes. They keep doing these wonderful things.”
“So yeah, there’s enough material there to keep us going all the way.”
House of Guinness is currently available to stream on Netflix.