The new Netflix series “House of Guinness” seems to have it all: a stellar cast, lavish cinematography, and a storyline described as a mix of “Succession” and “Peaky Blinders.” This combination has turned the drama into a ratings success and earned glowing reviews.
American and British critics have praised the show about a brewing dynasty as a stylish and entertaining journey through 1860s Dublin. The Guardian called it “irresistible,” the BBC noted that “plenty of people will happily gulp it down,” and the Los Angeles Times described it as “good craic.”
The eight-part series premiered this week with an 89% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and featured extensive profiles of the real Guinness family in magazines like Tatler and Vogue.
However, there’s a catch: Irish critics despise it. They dislike the portrayal of Ireland’s history, the dialogue, the costumes, and the lighting. Despite Netflix highlighting that it’s the first show to include Irish subtitles, Irish critics remain unimpressed.
The Irish Times criticized the show for its “rudimentary understanding of Ireland’s experiences of colonialism” and a “stunning lack of appreciation for who the Anglo-Irish were and their place in Irish society.” It also mocked the lead character, played by English actor James Norton, as sounding like “a steampunk Mr Tayto”—a nod to an Irish crisp brand mascot—and described the Fenian revolutionaries as dressing and speaking like “feral leprechauns.”
The Irish Independent labeled the show a “shocker” that lacks authenticity, pointing out clichés like letters being crumpled and thrown into fires. It also criticized the excessive swearing and historical inaccuracies, arguing that while the producers call it fiction, much of popular history is already fictional and potentially harmful.
The series, which is loosely based on the true story of the Guinness family patriarch’s death in 1868, leaving his four adult children to run the brewing empire, was created by Steven Knight of “Peaky Blinders” fame. Filmed mostly in Liverpool with a mix of Irish and British actors, the show features a soundtrack by contemporary Irish bands like Fontaines DC and Kneecap.
The Guardian gave it five stars, and NPR praised Knight’s ability to bring period dramas to life, though it noted some accents were hard to understand, adding that the story and intrigue translated perfectly.
Irish critics have long been frustrated with actors who misrepresent Irish accents, such as Brad Pitt’s infamous IRA role in “The Devil’s Own.” However, the “House of Guinness” cast has mostly avoided criticism on this front, with Norton’s performance and accent receiving praise, along with the soundtrack and high-production sets.Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Irish critics have targeted the series for its awkward dialogue and poor lighting. However, the portrayal of Ireland’s post-famine politics and the underground revolutionaries aiming to end British rule has drawn widespread criticism, especially on social media. One Reddit user questioned the costume design, asking to speak with the designer and pointing out that dressing Fenians in stereotypical leprechaun outfits doesn’t accurately represent Irish identity.
Garron Noone, a comedian and self-proclaimed “Irish cultural police” with a large following on TikTok and Instagram, highlighted how quickly the first episode introduces rebels, noting it only takes three minutes and 45 seconds for someone to yell, “Free Ireland from the English!” He sarcastically praised a scene showing a Guinness-pouring tutorial and a funeral fight, adding that while it reflects Irish culture, he’d deduct points for the absence of sandwiches at the funeral.
Critics also pointed to clumsy dialogue and dark lighting, arguing that explosions and sex scenes couldn’t hide the story’s lack of excitement. An Irish Examiner review titled “all pour, no pint” compared the series unfavorably to Succession and Peaky Blinders, saying it lacked the humor of the former and the tension of the latter.
In a particularly harsh critique, The Irish Times mentioned a scene so poorly executed it might make Guinness drinkers switch to a competing stout like Beamish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the topic framed in a natural conversational tone with clear and direct answers
General Beginner Questions
1 What is House of Guinness
House of Guinness is a new fictional drama series on Netflix Its a speculative story that imagines a powerful secretive Guinness family dynasty in 19thcentury Dublin involved in intrigue and power struggles
2 What does steampunk mean
Steampunk is a style that mixes Victorianera aesthetics with anachronistic technology powered by steam gears and clockwork Think brass goggles airships and complex machinery in a historical setting
3 Who or what is Mr Tayto
Mr Tayto is the mascot for Tayto a hugely popular and iconic brand of Irish crisps Hes a cheerful cartoon character that holds a special place in Irish pop culture
4 So what are the critics actually saying
Theyre using a catchy humorous shorthand They mean the show is a stylish alternatehistory drama centered around a beloved Irish brand but with the same kind of quirky familybusiness intrigue you might associate with a story about the Tayto crisp company
Deeper Advanced Questions
5 Why are they comparing it to Mr Tayto Isnt that a crisp brand
Yes it is The comparison is meant to be funny and relatable for an Irish audience It suggests that the shows drama while grand and steampunk has a core that feels as fundamentally and quirkily Irish as the story behind their favorite crisps It grounds the highconcept premise in something familiar
6 What are the main steampunk elements in the show
Based on trailers and reviews the show features advanced steampowered machinery elaborate Victorianera costumes with a mechanical twist and a general aesthetic that reimagines 19thcentury Dublin with more advanced gritty technology
7 Is this show based on a true story
No its a work of fiction While the Guinness family is a real and historically important dynasty the shows plot characters and the steampunk elements are entirely
