Netflix’s ‘House of Guinness’ draws 3.5M viewers in 48 hours

Netflix's ↘ 1.25% period drama "House of Guinness" has become an instant streaming sensation, capturing 3.5 million viewers within 48 hours of its September 25 premiere and climbing to the top of Netflix's charts across multiple territories. Created by Steven Knight, the mastermind behind "Peaky Blinders," the eight-episode series has secured the number one spot in Ireland and the UK while ranking fourth globally on Netflix's streaming charts as of September 28.screenrant+4

Strong Critical Reception Drives Viewership

The historical drama has garnered an 87% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, though audience reception has been more mixed at 58%. Critics have praised the series as a "visual feast" and awarded it five stars, with Digital Spy calling it "brewed to perfection". The show has drawn comparisons to Knight's previous work as well as popular series like "Succession" and "The Crown".screenrant+5

Set in 1860s Dublin and New York, "House of Guinness" follows the four adult children of Sir Benjamin Guinness after his death in 1868. The series stars Anthony Boyle, Louis Partridge, Emily Fairn, and Fionn O'Shea as the Guinness siblings, alongside James Norton as Sean Rafferty, a fictional brewery foreman who serves as the family's fixer.digitalspy+3

Authentic Locations Despite Geographic Challenges

Despite being set in 19th-century Dublin, the production was filmed primarily in Wales and northern England due to the city's changed appearance since 1868. Penrhyn Castle in Bangor, Wales, served as the Guinness family's ancestral home, while Manchester's Northern Quarter doubled for New York and Stockport represented Dublin. Liverpool's Stanley Docks portrayed the Guinness brewery, and various stately homes across the region provided period-appropriate backdrops.bbc+1

The series blends historical fact with dramatic fiction, based on an idea by real Guinness heiress Ivana Lowell, who worked with Knight to tell her family's story. While the main characters and major events are historically accurate, the series takes creative liberties with private conversations and relationships to enhance the narrative drama. Knight has already expressed interest in continuing the story into the 20th century, suggesting strong potential for a second season renewal given the show's early streaming success.radiotimes+3