Before captivating audiences as the head of one of Ireland’s most iconic fortunes in Netflix’s new drama House of Guinness, Anthony Boyle was winning hearts in the beloved sitcom Derry Girls.
The 31-year-old actor from Belfast admits that his real-life story has echoes of the show, which followed an ‘English fella’ navigating an all-girls’ school in 1990s Northern Ireland.
Boyle, who plays 1st Baron Ardilaun in the new series, credits much of his acting journey to an unusual school experience.
“I got expelled from boys’ schools in Belfast, and the only one that would take me was an all-girls’ school called St Louise’s,” he told RTÉ’s The Late Late Show.
“There were 2,000 girls and ten boys – it was such a mad experience. At 16, being surrounded by 2,000 girls was… unforgettable.”
The drama department at St Louise’s became his sanctuary.
“I got to act every day, play different roles for three years… it was good craic,” he recalled.
It was there that his teenage energy and creativity were nurtured, shaping the actor who would later command the West End and the silver screen.
Overcoming Early Challenges
Anthony’s early life wasn’t without hardship.
Diagnosed with Perthes disease as a child, he was unable to walk properly for years and missed out on sports like his peers. “I spent a lot of time observing people,” he explained.
“When I finally could join in, I volunteered for everything. I’ve never been a wallflower.”
He also struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia and behavioral issues, leading to risky teenage antics.
But the all-girls school and its drama program turned his frustrations into performance energy.
“My ‘dance first’ energy was celebrated, and I loved it,” he said in a 2024 Backstage interview.
From Theatre to Global Recognition
Anthony trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, graduating in 2016 with a BA in Acting.
His West End breakthrough came as Scorpius Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a role that earned him an Olivier Award.
“Walking out to thousands of people screaming… that role really set me up,” he reflected.
His stage success seamlessly transitioned to screen, where he has tackled a variety of complex and historical characters, from IRA activist Brendan Hughes in Say Nothing to John Wilkes Booth in Manhunt.
“Playing Brendan felt natural,” Boyle said, citing his Belfast upbringing and family stories as influences.
He also recently took on the role of convicted cryptocurrency fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried and starred in four TV shows last year, including Masters of the Air.
Entering the World of the Guinness Dynasty
Now, Anthony is at the center of House of Guinness, Netflix’s eight-part period drama chronicling the legendary brewery family.
The series begins after the death of Sir Benjamin Guinness, exploring how his fortune shaped the lives of his four adult children, and the Dublin characters intertwined with their empire.
Ivana Lowell, granddaughter of the Guinness family, created the series concept after being inspired by Downton Abbey.
“I didn’t want them to be villains,” she said. “But any business person back then had to be ruthless.”
The series, brought to screen by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, features a star-studded cast including James Norton, Louis Partridge, Emily Fairn, Fionn O’Shea, Dervla Kirwan, and Jack Gleeson.
Wealth, Tragedy, and Legacy
While the Guinness name evokes prosperity, the family’s history is peppered with tragedy, scandal, and untimely deaths.
From Tara Browne’s fatal car crash to the drowning of Honor Uloth in 2020, the family has faced repeated misfortune, giving rise to a ‘cursed’ reputation despite a fortune exceeding £900 million.
Steven Knight said, “The Guinness dynasty is known the world over – wealth, power, influence, and tragedy are all intertwined.
It’s a rich tapestry to draw from.”
House of Guinness premieres on Netflix on Thursday, September 25, inviting audiences into the epic story of one of Europe’s most famous families.