House of Guinness is Netflix’s new eight-part series from Peaky Blinders writer/creator Steven Knight.
Set in 19th Century Dublin and New York, the show centres on the famous Anglo-Irish family in the wake of the death of Sir Benjamin Guinness, the man who built the Guinness brewery into an international empire.
As his children Arthur (Anthony Boyle), Edward (Louis Partridge), Anne (Emily Fairn) and Ben (Fionn O’Shea) prepare to take on his legacy, unrest over workers’ rights at the Dublin brewery is building in tandem with a growing anti-British sentiment.
Here, Belfast-born star Anthony Boyle shares some insights into the show and his character...
Read more: First look at new Netflix series House of Guinness
Who is Arthur Guinness?
Arthur Guinness is the heir to the Guinness empire. We first meet Arthur on the day of his father’s funeral, two days before the will is read, where we think he’s going to inherit everything.
This wasn’t just a brewery – it was a huge, huge operation. They owned so many properties. They basically owned Ireland – and almost still do. And a big chunk of England, too.
We find Arthur not feeling all that emotional on the day of his father’s funeral. His siblings are crying and really emotional, but he’s masking his anxiety, his anger and his emotions.
It’s what he always does. He’s a complicated guy.
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What do we learn about Arthur and his brother Edward at the reading of their father’s will?
There’s a scene where you think the whole empire is going to go directly to Arthur. But then we find out it’s actually going to be split between Arthur and Edward – and that’s really the impetus for the series.
They couldn’t be more opposite: Arthur just wants to go to London, have sex, drink, smoke and have the craic. Edward is the brewery.
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Louis Partridge performs Edward so well – I imagine the brewery is literally in his head. Like, machinery and cogs turning constantly.
Arthur is just thinking about being in a ‘Molly House’, as they were called back then: these were the only places gay men could truly be themselves, find a sense of community and be open about who they love.
What’s it been like working opposite Louis Partridge?
Louis Partridge is a phenomenal actor. He’s class. He’s so young, only 21, but he’s just amazing. He’s a movie star.
I’d think about doing a scene a certain way, and then I’d come in and he’d give me something totally different – and it would just open me up completely.
He’s a brilliant, brilliant actor.
Despite his hedonism and secret life, Arthur is forced to enter politics - which leads to the prospect of scandal. What do we learn about him in these scenes?
Well, Arthur is a classic West Brit - an Irishman who actually wants to be English.
He sort of masks his Irishness with this quasi-English accent, but then in moments of pain or anguish the Irish comes out.
Politically, he’s forced to become the MP for Dublin. This isn’t something he wants to do. He wants to be in the Molly Houses, drinking, having the craic, running off with people, going to the theatre and going to balls.
But unfortunately, he has to go to London and represent Dublin in Parliament.
Arthur Guinness is a classic west Brit - an Irishman who actually wants to be English
— Anthony Boyle
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Arthur’s personal relationships come under intense scrutiny. How does that affect him, and what does it reveal about Ireland at the time?
Arthur’s journey is so heartbreaking. In one scene, we’re running from the police after being caught in a Molly House.
It’s just so devastating. You never really know how you’re going to play a scene emotionally – you think, “Oh, I’ll probably be sad here.”
But when you’re actually in it, looking someone in the eyes as your friends are being beaten by police for simply loving who they love... it hits you.
What attracted you to House of Guinness in the first place?
Steven Knight - I’ve loved his shows and films for so long.
I started off doing theatre, and I like long scenes – settling into them, getting into them.
With this script, like with most of Steven’s scripts, there were places to breathe. I read the first two episodes and there were 10 and 11 page scenes – which for an actor is just great craic, because you can really play in them. You get to try loads of different versions.
I loved the script, and I loved the character. Arthur just jumped off the page. I immediately had a real sense of who he was. I could see him very clearly in front of me and I thought, “Oh, I want to step into this guy’s shoes.”
It has been an absolute pleasure creating this character.
Read more: ‘There’s so much more to come’ - House of Guinness creator Steven Knight teases second series
What does House of Guinness mean to you and what does Arthur represent within the show?
That’s a tough one. I think the show isn’t just about one specific thing. It’s not just a romance. There’s love in it, and loads of different types of love, which I found really interesting.
It’s not just like, “here’s a love story.” There’s romantic love, unrequited love. The love between Arthur and Olivia [Danielle Galligan] was so interesting to me.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen that kind of dynamic before in a TV show or film. It felt so unique and complex. They do love each other, but in this very strange, awkward way.
It’s really depressing that Arthur can’t be who he is – that he has to hide because of the time he’s living in. But he finds this kind of respect with Olivia.
There are moments of real connection, where I feel like she sees him more than any other character in the piece. She really sees him.
Danielle Galligan is such an amazing actor. It really elevated the writing to get to work with someone like her.
What did you think of the sets and production design?
Walking onto the Guinness drawing room set for the first time, it just felt special and lived in. I could see Arthur lounging in one corner, Edward working studiously in another.
The ballroom was another favourite. We filmed the wedding scene there - Danielle and I had to learn a dance.
Usually, everyone’s split off: the Fenians are over here, the Guinnesses over there. But that week we were all together.
It was brilliant.
What are you most excited for audiences to see?
I’m just excited for people to sit down and watch it. Hopefully, they’ll be as entertained as I was when I read the scripts.
It’s really exciting. I don’t think there’s anything else like it on TV.
Finally, do you actually like Guinness?
Yes. I love Guinness. I used to drink it with both my grandads – they’re dead now, God rest them.
But yeah, I’ll be drinking Guinness when this comes out. This is going to be it for the rest of my life now!
All eight episodes of House of Guinness will be available via Netflix from September 25
