House of Guinness may be the biggest show on Netflix in the UK right now, but viewers are in agreement on a major issue for the show that was hailed as the ‘next Peaky Blinders’.
The show’s release hasn’t quite had the perfect reception that Netflix may have been hoping, even if it sits at number one in the UK, and number four in America and worldwide.
The show has also received a mixed critical reception, as well as a critique from one of the remaining living members of the Guinness family, who slammed the show for its accuracy.
House of Guinness follows the story of four members of the Guinness family who take over the business after the death of their father, Sir Benjamin Guinness.
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Whilst many fans have been enjoying the show and calling it a worthy spiritual successor to Peaky Blinders, others have noticed a major issue with the show.
Taking to Reddit, one fan posted a discussion of the series in the r/PeriodDramas subreddit.
One of the most popular comments praised Anthony Boyle, who plays Arthur Guinness in the TV show, and called it okay; however, they added: “Some of the portrayals of the Fenians are just comical and way overdone.
“Like we wouldn’t know who they are if they’re not dressed in various shades of green all with curly red hair? It’s kinda corny.”
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One of the show’s major factions is the Fenians, a real-life political organisation that was dedicated to the establishment of an independent Irish state.
Named after the legendary Irish warrior Fianna, they oppose the Protestant Guinness family throughout the show.
This is not the only criticism of the portrayal of the Fenians, with one popular comment on another Reddit thread saying: “I find it interesting that no one (as far down as I’ve scrolled) has mentioned that they dressed the Fenians like leprechauns.”
Another fan chimed in to agree, saying: “Ok. I’m Irish, I’m just finishing episode 1, but I don’t like how they portrayed the Fenians? Ireland was under British occupation, and people in my family in Ireland starved and died. It was terrible.
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“Also who did the costume design, I’d like to have a word with them. Green doesn’t equal Irish. Why are all the Fenians wearing literal spirit Halloween leprechaun costumes?”
Not only did fans criticise writer Steven Knight’s portrayal of the Irish independence movement in the show, but the Irish Times also slammed his writing in their review.
They said: “One problem with House of Guinness is the at best rudimentary understanding of Ireland’s experiences of colonialism of Steven Knight, the drama’s creator.
“[Knight] also has a stunning lack of appreciation for who the Anglo-Irish were and where they fit (or didn’t) into Irish society.”
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This was not, however, the only criticism of the show, as it appears that both sides of the aisle are less than pleased with House of Guinness.
Molly Guinness, one of the remaining Guinness’s alive today, wrote in The Times to critique the show for its portrayal of her family, saying: “All the characters come straight from a bingo card of modern clichés around rich people.”
Others, however, are loving the series.
One fan posted on X, saying: “Incredible actors, cinematography, setting, writing, soundtrack—pure Irish excellence.”
House of Guinness is now available to watch on Netflix.
Topics: Netflix, Ireland, TV, TV and Film
Michael Slavin