London rolled out the dark-brown carpet on Tuesday night for the star-studded premiere of House of Guinness, Netflix’s upcoming period drama about the family behind the world’s most famous stout.
The event, held at Picturehouse Central, brought together both the glittering cast and real-life members of the high-society Guinness family.
Family Meets Fiction
What made the evening especially unique was seeing Guinness descendants like Lady Mary Charteris, Daphne Guinness, Lord Ned Iveagh, Ivana Lowell, Jasmine Guinness, and Celeste Guinness turn out to support a show inspired by their own ancestry.
They posed together in their typically eccentric fashion, making as much of a statement as the actors themselves.
Lady Mary, a DJ and model, went daring in a sheer black dress with metallic accents.
Daphne, known for her avant-garde style, paired a ruffled coat with platform heels and metallic face paint.
Meanwhile, Jasmine opted for timeless glamour in a one-shouldered gown, while brewery heiress Celeste stunned in a punk-inspired satin suit she daringly wore open on the carpet.
A Story Sparked by Family
The project owes its very existence to Ivana Lowell, granddaughter of Maureen, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava.
Inspired by Downton Abbey, she pitched the idea of telling her family’s “juicier and more interesting” story.
Ivana explained that she wanted to portray her ancestors honestly, acknowledging both their ruthlessness in business and their humanity.
She partnered with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, who praised Ivana as a “mine of information” filled with wild, untold family stories.
Together, they shaped the eight-part series into a gritty exploration of power, legacy, and tragedy.
Inside the Series
According to Netflix, House of Guinness begins in the aftermath of Sir Benjamin Guinness’ death in the 19th century, exploring how his will shaped the destinies of his four children—Arthur, Edward, Anne, and Ben—while weaving in the lives of Dublin’s working class.
The cast includes James Norton as a fictional brewery foreman, Sean Rafferty, alongside Anthony Boyle, Louis Partridge, Emily Fairn, and Fionn O’Shea as the Guinness siblings.
Other familiar names like Dervla Kirwan and Game of Thrones alum Jack Gleeson also round out the lineup.
A Premiere Filled with Glamour
James Norton looked every bit the leading man in a navy suit adorned with Guinness-themed brooches, while Anthony Boyle made a statement in an open silk shirt.
Dervla Kirwan turned heads in a green strapless gown, Emily Fairn floated in a floral chiffon cape dress, and Jack Gleeson kept it classic in navy tailoring.
The mix of bold couture and polished looks mirrored the show’s themes of elegance and turbulence.
The So-Called “Guinness Curse”
While the family is known for its vast wealth—estimated at over £900 million—its history has also been clouded by tragedy.
From Tara Browne’s fatal 1966 car crash to the drowning of Honor Uloth in 2020, the Guinness name has long been associated with heartbreak.
So much so that many refer to it as a family “curse.”
Knight says that very contrast—between immense privilege and devastating misfortune—makes the family’s story perfect for the screen.
When to Watch
House of Guinness will debut on Netflix on Thursday, September 25.
With its mix of real history, family drama, and lavish period detail, it promises to be both a gripping watch and a fresh perspective on one of Europe’s most famous dynasties.