On September 25, a new period drama landed on Netflix: House of Guinness, which chronicles the privileged lives of four heirs to the Irish beer fortune in the 1800s after the death of their formidable father. Created by Steven Knight, the same man behind the award-winning Peaky Blinders, the well-reviewed series feels like a moody cross between Succession and Downtown Abbey.
It’s also a story that is rooted in reality. The main characters—Arthur, Benjamin, Edward, and Anne—were real-life scions of the famous beer empire. So, as you stream House of Guinness this weekend, here’s a primer to the inspirations behind the juicy, scandalous, and startlingly wealthy characters on your screen.
Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness
Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness was the grandson of Arthur Guinness, who founded Guinness in 1759. Almost a century later, Benjamin took control of the business and tripled sales. He also dabbled in politics, becoming the mayor of Dublin in 1851 before he took over the family company. In 1865, he was elected as an MP to the House of Commons. When he died, he left control of the company to two sons: Arthur and Edward.
Arguably his greatest legacy, other than Guinness itself? With his own funds, he led the restoration of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, a landmark still visited by millions today.
Arthur Guinness, Baron Ardilaun