House of Guinness ending explained: Anne's acceptance, Edward's sacrifice, and Arthur's election day 

Steven Knight's House of Guinness is finally streaming on Netflix. The brain behind Peaky Blinders is back with another Succession-esque family drama, inspired by the real-life brewing family dynasty that eventually became one of the biggest manufacturers of stout in Britain.

Netflix's latest drama series is set in May 1868 Ireland, in the wake of Sir Benjamin Guinness' death, who is credited with expanding his family business to new heights. Now, the weight of the Guinness dynasty lies on the shoulders of his four children: Benjamin, Anne, Arthur, and Edward. While Anne and Benjamin are conveniently left out of their father's will, Arthur and Edward are bequeathed with their father's legacy. However, their inheritance comes with one condition: that the brothers are tied and must work together.

As House of Guinness reaches its conclusion, each of Benjamin's children make difficult choices that affect their family's legacy. While Arthur moves his focus to politics, Edward and Anne pivot to philanthropy.

The youngest sibling, Benjamin, who dabbled in alcohol and gambling throughout the series, finally gained acceptance from his sister, and his mistress Christine was officially accepted into the family.

Here is the complete ending explained.

House of Guinness ending explained: Edward made a big sacrifice

While Arthur had aligned himself with his late father's politics, Edward was determined to expand his family business to the US and take his family dynasty to new heights in philanthropy. Edward's sister, Anne, also collaborated in philanthropy, but it was Edward who ultimately strengthened his family's political image. However, this comes after a sacrifice on Edward's part as he finally decides to let go of his feelings for Ellen.

While Edward was involved in a passionate affair with Ellen throughout the series, their relationship came to a head in the finale, and the couple parted ways. Edward's feelings for Ellen were genuine throughout, but he made this decision to strengthen his family's position.

In the House of Guinness finale, Edward made two monumental decisions that will affect his family for the coming century. Firstly, he accepts the harp of Brian Boru (an important symbol of Irish identity) as Guinness' symbol, and secondly, he marries Adelaide. Adelaide has been a loyal partner on all of Edward's philanthropic projects, but their partnership lacks the passion he feels with Ellen. However, he made this sacrifice for his family and kept their needs above his.

House of Guinness ending explained: Anne pivots to philanthropy

While Edward and Arthur were chosen as the inheritors of their family brewery in the House of Guinness, both Anne and Benjamin also carved their individual paths. Anne was the only daughter of Sir Benjamin, who was certainly disappointed to get nothing in her father's will. However, her tragic miscarriage and her experiences during travel made her see the state of the country, which was suffering after the famine.

While her father left her with no agency, she also made an important decision in the finale by redirecting her family's fortunes towards philanthropy. Her decision to give 10% of her family's profits to the poor not only gave her family a new direction but was also faithful to the real-life figure of Anne Guinness, a renowned philanthropist.

House of Guinness ending explained: What happened on Arthur's election day?

Coming to the second man of the hour in House of Guinness, Arthur was the other son bequeathed with his father's brewery after his death. However, Arthur had no plans to expand the family's business and instead wanted to have a career in politics. While Arthur was determined to win back his father's seat in the parliament, his sexuality created a major obstacle for him. His secret relationship with Michael and his animosity with Patrick Cochrane (a Fenian) threatened his career in politics. While Arthur entered into a marriage of convenience with Lady Olivia Hedges-White in House of Guinness, it did not work out.

In the finale, Arthur discovered Olivia's secret relationship and eventual pregnancy with Sean Rafferty. Amidst this personal turmoil, Arthur's Election Day was further marred by Patrick's presence, who was hell-bent on destroying the Guinness family and killing Arthur.

The House of Guinness finale concludes on Election Day, where Patrick enters with a gun, determined to take a life. While Anne signals Sean, Patrick takes a shot, and the series ends on a cliffhanger. Arthur is the most likely candidate on Patrick's radar, but it is unlikely that he will die, given that the real-life figure lived well into the 1920s. The cliffhanger was certainly biting, and it remains to be seen who was shot (and will they survive) if/when House of Guinness returns for Season 2.

House of Guinness is streaming on Netflix.

Trending

For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback