Shocking Secrets Revealed! Heiress Spills Tea on Netflix’s Ancestor Series – You Won’t Believe It!

The acclaimed writer Steven Knight, the creator of the cult classic series Peaky Blinders, has unveiled a new project on Netflix: House of Guinness. It tells the tale of the 4 children of Sir Benjamin Guinness, the founder of the famous beer of the same name, and their struggle to continue his legacy in an Ireland on the brink of civil war.

But what part did the Guinness family play in this project? Our colleagues at the British magazine Radio Times went out to interview Ivana Lowell, a descendant of these characters, to find out.

A Family Project

In the interview, we learn that House of Guinness was not Steven Knight’s original idea, but actually Ivana Lowell’s! She wrote a 20-page treatment of the story that many writers attempted to develop, but without success.

Upon learning that Steven Knight, fresh off the success of Peaky Blinders, was interested, she saw a glimmer of hope for her project. The two met, and Powell’s narrative about her ancestors immediately resonated with Knight: “This family is incredibly prosperous […] but unlike any other […] [They are] charismatic, yet imperfect and tragic.”

A Unique Family

During their conversation, Ivana Powell shared countless incredible details about these vibrant characters, who were said to embody a “Guinnessness” [a unique way of being associated with the Guinness family]. This aspect particularly enticed Steven Knight.

He explains: “[Their] tendency to create chaos in perfect situations […] [They are a] group of people who are aware of their own absurdity, who are amusing, creative, and occasionally drawn towards madness and wildness. […]”

Unbelievable Anecdotes

One thing that sets the Guinness family apart is their humor, entirely detached from their social status. Ivana Powell particularly recalled the antics of her grandmother, who, as you will see, was quite a character at parties.

“She had a fake penis and would bring it out occasionally. Sometimes, she would put it on her nose. My mother was horrified. […] She also had a fart machine that she would hide under her legs!”

While the Guinness family descendants have toned down their “Guinnessness” a bit, Ivana Powell remains very proud of her ancestors. Not only is she the brain behind the project, but many descendants also wanted to be a part of it: “All my cousins kept asking me: ‘Can I be in it too?'” This certainly reassures us that the series has the family’s stamp of approval!

House of Guinness is currently available on Netflix.