The highly-anticipated historical drama, House of Guinness, has quickly become one of the most talked-about series on Netflix since its premiere on September 25, 2025. From the creative mind of Steven Knight, the visionary behind the BAFTA-winning series Peaky Blinders, this new period piece plunges viewers into the cutthroat world of the iconic Guinness brewing dynasty in 1860s Dublin and New York City. The series opens with the death of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness in 1868, immediately thrusting his four ambitious and vastly different children into a fierce battle for control of the massive brewery empire, setting the stage for a compelling narrative of power, rivalry, and legacy.
The success of the show, which centers on the real-life operations of the legendary St. James's Gate Brewery, relies heavily on its talented ensemble cast. The ensemble features a mix of rising stars and established British and Irish actors, each bringing a complex layer to the family drama. Below is a deep dive into the main cast members, their characters, and the notable works that made them perfect for this epic historical saga.
The Principal Cast: Full Biography and Character Profiles
The core of House of Guinness revolves around the four siblings—Arthur, Edward, Benjamin, and Anne—and the powerful, enigmatic figure who acts as their foreman and fixer. These actors shoulder the responsibility of portraying the internal strife and external pressures faced by the family as they navigate the industrial age.
Anthony Boyle as Arthur Guinness
- Character Role: Arthur Guinness, the eldest of the late Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness's children. He returns from London to assume joint stewardship of the brewery, a role he is technically bound to but perhaps not fully prepared for. His character embodies the struggle between duty and personal desire.
- Biography and Notable Works: Boyle is an Irish actor from Belfast, born on June 8, 1994. He is a graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He gained significant acclaim for his stage work, particularly his Olivier Award-winning performance as Scorpius Malfoy in the original West End production of *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child*. More recently, he was recognized for his role as Major Harry Crosby in the World War II series *Masters of the Air*.
Louis Partridge as Edward Guinness
- Character Role: Edward Guinness, the youngest of the brothers. He is often depicted as the visionary and the most ambitious, eager to modernize the brewery and expand its reach globally, particularly to the burgeoning market in New York City.
- Biography and Notable Works: Partridge is a young English actor, born on June 3, 2003. He is widely known for his breakout role as Viscount Tewkesbury in the Netflix mystery film series *Enola Holmes*, starring opposite Millie Bobby Brown. He also appeared in the FX miniseries *Pistol*. His casting brings a youthful, intense energy to the role of the aspiring industrialist.
Emily Fairn as Anne Plunket (née Guinness)
- Character Role: Anne Plunket, the only daughter of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness. Her character is central to the familial and social dynamics, as she navigates the restrictive expectations placed upon women in 19th-century Irish society while possessing a sharp intellect and a desire for influence.
- Biography and Notable Works: Fairn is an English actress from Liverpool. She is best known for her role as Casey in the BBC drama *The Responder*, a performance that garnered her critical attention. She is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Fionn O'Shea as Benjamin Guinness
- Character Role: Benjamin Guinness (the son), the sibling caught in the middle. His character often serves as a foil to his brothers, highlighting the complex, sometimes strained relationships within the family as they grapple with their father's legacy.
- Biography and Notable Works: O'Shea is an Irish actor, born on January 2, 1997. He gained international recognition for his role as Jamie in the critically acclaimed Hulu/BBC series *Normal People*. Other notable credits include the films *Handsome Devil* and *Dating Amber*.
The Enigmatic Figure: James Norton as Sean Rafferty
One of the most compelling and crucial characters outside the immediate Guinness family is Sean Rafferty, played by the acclaimed British actor James Norton. Rafferty’s character adds a layer of grit and intrigue reminiscent of Knight's previous work on *Peaky Blinders*.
James Norton portrays Sean Rafferty, a character described as the Guinness family’s foreman and "fixer" at the St. James's Gate Brewery. He is a man who has worked for the family for years and understands the inner workings of the brewing operation and the political landscape of Dublin better than the Guinness siblings themselves. His role is not merely that of an employee; he is a key player, often acting as a vicious henchman who becomes entangled in the family's personal and professional dramas, including a complex relationship with one of the Guinness children.
Norton, a BAFTA nominee, has stated that playing the role of Rafferty was "probably the most fun" he has ever had on a set, a testament to the character's complexity and the show's intense narrative. His presence, as a powerful figure from outside the aristocratic circle, serves as a crucial bridge between the family's wealth and the working-class reality of 19th-century Dublin.
Key Supporting Players and Topical Entities
To fully capture the scale of the Guinness empire and the 1860s setting, the series relies on a strong supporting cast and a wealth of historical detail. The show’s creator, Steven Knight, ensures that the world of the brewery and the city of Dublin are entities in themselves, rich with atmosphere and conflict.
The story begins in 1868, immediately following the death of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness, the man who modernized the brewery and was the grandson of the founder, Arthur Guinness. The setting is the historical St. James's Gate Brewery, a site famously leased for 9,000 years in 1759. The brewery itself is a powerful visual and thematic element, representing both the family's legacy and the source of their conflict.
Other notable cast members who flesh out the world of the Guinness family include:
- David Wilmot as Bonnie Champion, another significant figure in the brewery's operations.
- Jack Gleeson as Byron Hughes. Gleeson is well-known for his role as Joffrey Baratheon in *Game of Thrones*.
- Niamh McCormack as Ellen Cochrane.
- Michael Colgan as Reverend Henry Grattan, who is the uncle of the Guinness siblings.
- Tim Creed as Reverend William Plunket, Anne’s husband.
- Jessica Reynolds, whose role adds to the dynamic of the period drama.
The series is a deep exploration of the family’s transition of power and the immense wealth tied to their iconic product—the Guinness stout and porter. The narrative explores themes of industrial expansion, sibling rivalry, and the social stratification of 19th-century Ireland, making it a compelling watch for fans of complex historical dramas like *Peaky Blinders* and *The Crown*. The combination of a stellar cast, a globally recognized brand, and the high-stakes plot ensures that House of Guinness will remain a major talking point in the world of streaming television for the foreseeable future.
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