Sachee Perera

I started watching House of Guinness on Netflix expecting a well-made historical drama about the famous brewing family. The production values, set design, and acting are all strong, and the story had a lot of potential to be both entertaining and informative. What disappointed me was the portrayal of Arthur Guinness. The series chose to depict him as gay, which is not supported by any historical evidence. While creative liberties are part of television, this change feels less like storytelling and more like politicising history. For viewers who came in wanting to enjoy an authentic look at the Guinness legacy, this choice distracts from the real story and undermines the show’s credibility. History is already interesting enough without rewriting key facts. If a series presents itself as a historical drama, then accuracy should matter. By inventing major aspects of Arthur Guinness’s personal life, the show risks alienating viewers who simply wanted to watch a compelling story rooted in truth. I would have rated this higher for its production quality, but for me the unnecessary distortion of history makes it hard to fully enjoy.