Unpacking the _House of Guinness_ Ensemble: Meet the Cast Behind Netflix's Latest Historical Drama

Netflix’s ambitious new series House of Guinness, created by Steven Knight (best known for Peaky Blinders), dives deep into one of Europe’s most storied and powerful dynasties. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century Dublin and New York, the show weaves together fiction and historical fact to tell the saga of a legendary brewing family caught at a critical juncture.

The Guinness Family at the Center of the Storm

The narrative unfolds in the aftermath of Sir Benjamin Guinness’s death—a pivotal moment that reshapes the destiny of his four adult children: Arthur, Edward, Anne, and Ben. As his will reverberates through the family empire, each sibling must navigate not only the brewery’s future but their own conflicting ambitions and personal demons. The ripple effects extend far beyond the family itself, touching the lives of Dublin workers and international business associates who depend on the Guinness name.

According to Knight’s vision, the Guinness family story is grounded in historical authenticity. “Many of these characters genuinely lived during this era,” Knight explained to Netflix’s Tudum. “They were integral to the Guinness clan, worked alongside them, or served them directly. My goal has been to resurrect these figures with as much fidelity to reality as possible.” While core family members draw directly from real historical records, some supporting characters exist purely within the fictional framework of the series.

The Guinness Siblings: Ambition, Rivalry, and Complexity

Arthur Guinness – The Composed Heir

Anthony Boyle takes on the role of Arthur Guinness, the eldest son shaped by an Eton education and years spent in London’s elite circles. With an air of aristocratic refinement and calculated composure, Arthur masks deeper currents of anxiety and suppressed emotion beneath his polished exterior. Boyle, who has appeared in Masters of the Air, Manhunt, Derry Girls, and Say Nothing, brings nuance to a character wrestling with inherited expectations.

During his father’s funeral scene, Boyle revealed that Arthur’s stoicism starkly contrasts with his siblings’ visible grief. “He’s projecting control,” the actor explained to Tudum, “but underneath, rage and uncertainty are churning away. It’s a defense mechanism he’s perfected over time.”

Edward Guinness – The Youngest Challenger

Louis Partridge, celebrated for his role in the Enola Holmes franchise, portrays Edward Guinness, the youngest of Sir Benjamin’s sons. Unlike his older brother’s refined demeanor, Edward possesses an earnestness and conviction that sometimes works against him in upper-class settings. Having spent his formative years within the brewery’s operations, he harbors genuine confidence that he should helm the family enterprise—yet lacks the natural charisma Arthur deploys so effortlessly.

“Edward operates from principle,” Partridge shared with Tudum. “He’s resolute in his convictions, capable of decisiveness when circumstances demand it.” Beyond Enola Holmes, Partridge’s portfolio includes Disclaimer and The Lost Girls.

Benjamin Guinness – The Forgotten Middle Son

Fionn O’Shea inhabits the role of Benjamin Guinness, the frequently overlooked middle brother struggling beneath the weight of gambling addiction and substance abuse. Despite these personal battles, a tender, idealistic core persists within him—a romantic sensibility that occasionally surfaces. O’Shea (known for Normal People and Dance First) captures the tragedy of a man perpetually sidelined by his family.

“When Benjamin enters the narrative, he’s wrestling with profound internal conflicts,” O’Shea told Tudum. “He’s never been granted genuine agency within the family hierarchy. He exists like a phantom in his childhood home—perpetually invisible, perpetually discounted.”

Anne Plunket – The Only Daughter’s Dilemma

Emily Fairn embodies Anne Plunket, the singular female member of the Guinness generation. Trapped in a loveless marriage to a minor nobleman, she yearns for meaningful participation in both family affairs and the brewery itself. Drawing inspiration from the historical Anne Guinness, Fairn’s character represents the constrained agency of 19th-century women of privilege.

Fairn commented to Tudum: “As the sole daughter, Anne confronts the inherent powerlessness women faced during the 1800s. Yet she evolves despite systematic constraints. She’s battling forces on every side, yet strives to forge strength and influence from within an impossible situation.” Fairn’s previous credits include The Responder, Saturday Night, and Black Mirror.

The Extended Guinness Circle and Outside Players

Sean Rafferty – The Iron-Fisted Orchestrator

James Norton assumes the formidable role of Sean Rafferty, the factory foreman whose influence extends far beyond administrative duties. Ruthless yet undeniably commanding, Rafferty operates as the brewery’s true backbone—willing to cross ethical lines to safeguard both the business and the Guinness legacy. Previously Edward’s guide, Rafferty now finds himself in tension with the siblings following their father’s departure.

Norton explained to Tudum: “For Rafferty, work has become his religion—his singular devotion. He orchestrates everything. He’s the problem-solver, the guardian, the force maintaining stability. His authority is absolute, though he’ll venture into chaos if maintaining order demands it.” Norton brings gravitas from roles in Happy Valley, Bob Marley: One Love, and Rogue Agent.

Aunt Agnes Guinness – The Family’s Stabilizing Force

Dervla Kirwan portrays Aunt Agnes Guinness, the siblings’ aunt and their father’s sister. Following Sir Benjamin’s death, she emerges as a critical influence, steering the family through both commercial crises and intimate turmoil. Grounded in historical records, Agnes embodies the Victorian matriarch protecting her dynasty’s reputation against considerable odds.

Kirwan reflected to Tudum: “As a woman bound by Victorian conventions, Agnes’s primary mission centers on preserving family honor. Given the challenging personalities she’s now responsible for, this task proves extraordinarily demanding.” Kirwan’s filmography includes True Detective: Night Country, Smother, and The Stranger.

Byron Hedges – The Ambitious Cousin at the Crossroads

Jack Gleeson takes on Byron Hedges, a family cousin destined to play an expanding role in Season 2. Born to a wealthy mother and a politically radical Catholic father, Byron navigates both worlds with calculated advantage. Dispatched to New York to cultivate business relationships, he encounters the city’s virulent anti-Irish Catholic sentiment.

Gleeson noted: “Byron occupies a unique position—he exists comfortably in multiple camps simultaneously, weaponizing that flexibility for personal advancement.” Gleeson previously captivated audiences in Game of Thrones, In the Land of Saints and Sinners, Sex Education, and The Sandman.

Ellen Cochrane – The Principled Irish Republican

Niamh McCormack portrays Ellen Cochrane, sister to the revolutionary Patrick, distinguished by intellectual clarity and steadfast resolve. An ardent Irish Republican harboring visceral contempt for English Protestantism, she wields her limited agency with remarkable impact.

McCormack told the streamer: “Ellen radiates fierce determination and passion. As an Irish woman in the 1800s, she possessed virtually nothing—no political leverage, no institutional respect. Yet she maximizes her influence considerably.” Her past work includes Everything Now, The Witcher, and The Magic Flute.

Patrick Cochrane – The Revolutionary Firebrand

Seamus O’Hara brings intensity to Patrick Cochrane, Ellen’s volatile brother and commanding figure within the Fenians—a revolutionary nationalist organization operating across Ireland, America, and Britain. Zealously committed to Irish liberation, Patrick targets the Guinness family and the Protestant ascendancy as symbols of oppression. Despite his explosive temperament, familial bonds with Ellen remain unbreakable.

O’Hara explained: “Patrick exists to destabilize existing power structures. His objective: systematically dismantle the Guinness establishment and the colonial order it represents.” O’Hara’s credits include Blue Lights and An Irish Goodbye.

The Guinness Inner Circle and Supporting Ensemble

Reverend Henry Gratton – The Spiritual Anchor

Michael Colgan portrays Reverend Henry Gratton, a missionary minister functioning as the family’s devoted spiritual counselor. Maintaining distinct personal connections with each sibling, particularly Arthur (whose elitist worldview aligns with his ecclesiastical philosophy), Gratton serves as witness to family secrets accumulated over generations.

Colgan’s characterization suggests: “This clergyman operates from old-world principles. He faithfully served their father, raised the children from infancy, and possesses insider knowledge accumulated across decades.” His dramatic roles extend to Say Nothing, The Regime, and Marcella.

Lady Olivia Hedges – The Unconventional Aristocrat

Danielle Galligan embodies Lady Olivia Hedges, a character inspired by the genuine 19th-century aristocrat of the same name. Despite hailing from financially struggling aristocratic stock, Olivia remains determined to maintain outward sophistication and luxury. Her personality combines vivacity, ambition, and hedonistic impulses with surprisingly progressive thinking and behavior.

Galligan expressed to Tudum: “Lady Olivia represents the ultimate paradox—she’s sophisticated yet rebellious, constrained yet creative. Operating within a patriarchal system, she weaponizes her social position to circumvent limitations and forge advantage from disadvantage.” Galligan’s prior roles include Shadow and Bone, Obituary, and Lakelands.

Adelaide Guinness – The Independent Cousin

Ann Skelly plays Adelaide Guinness, the family’s witty and fiercely autonomous cousin, modeled after her historical namesake. Unmarried by choice rather than circumstance, Adelaide nonetheless faces relentless familial pressure to wed—particularly Edward, whom her relations deem an appropriate match.

Skelly’s previous work in The Nevers and The Sandman demonstrates her capacity for portraying complex, unconventional characters.

Bonnie Champion – The Morally Ambiguous Operator

David Wilmot takes on Bonnie Champion, the cunning racketeer controlling the distribution pipeline for Guinness barrels. Simultaneously immersed in Dublin’s criminal underworld—including sex trafficking, gaming rings, and narcotics—Bonnie traffics in information with ruthless pragmatism, selling secrets to the highest bidder without hesitation.

Wilmot’s dramatic experience spans Station Eleven, Bodkin, The Wonder, and Rebellion.

Sultan – The Enigmatic Outsider

Hilda Fay portrays Sultan, a cryptic healer emerging from the Irish countryside whose life intersects dramatically with Anne Guinness’s journey. Fay brings mysterious dimension to this supporting character, having previously appeared in The Woman in the Wall, Spilt Milk, and Float Like a Butterfly.

The Guinness Family Dynasty Takes the Screen

House of Guinness merges historical authenticity with dramatic storytelling, creating a rich tapestry centered on the Guinness family during a transformative era. With Netflix’s backing and Knight’s masterful direction, the series promises to explore ambition, loyalty, rivalry, and the complexities of privilege across continents and generations.

The full ensemble—from the conflicted siblings to the external forces threatening their world—creates a multidimensional portrait of power, legacy, and the personal costs of dynasty. Streaming exclusively on Netflix, House of Guinness invites viewers into the most intimate corridors of one of history’s most influential families.