Period dramas may take place during a bygone era, but they will always be in the moment.
One such unmissable new series now streaming on Netflix, House of Guinness, takes a look at the famous brewing family. It depicts the struggle for power among the adult heirs that arises after the patriarch, Benjamin Guinness, passes away.
If you love House of Guinness and want to vibe with more historical dramas centered on a cast of complex characters, Watch With Us knows exactly where your interests should lie next.
Check out these three shows that are the perfect follow-up to House of Guinness.
‘House of Guinness’ Is the 1 Netflix Show You Should Be Watching Right Now
‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013-2022)
It doesn’t hurt that House of Guinness is actually from the creators of Peaky Blinders, so if you like one, you will probably like the other. Peaky Blinders is set in Britain during the early 19th century following the Great War, and centers on the exploits of the titular crime gang led by war hero Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy). Shelby must duel with rival crime factions as he aims to rule the gritty streets of London, while avoiding the forces of justice that wish to imprison him.
Peaky Blinders is a gripping and fast-paced chronicle of the gangsters and criminal groups that sprang up in the aftermath of war, with a dynamite cast led by Murphy. The series has been praised for its synthesis of period drama and gangster thriller, with a top-notch cast of recurring and supporting characters played by names like Tom Hardy, Sam Neill, Josh O’Connor and Anya Taylor-Joy.
Stream Peaky Blinders now on Netflix.
‘Boardwalk Empire’ (2010-2014)
During the dawn of the Prohibition Era, Atlantic City is a lawless place run by criminals, gangsters and corrupt politicians. At the head of all of them is Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi), the town treasurer who’s got his dirty hands in just about every pot, while his equally shady brother, Elias (Shea Whigham), serves as the Atlantic City sheriff. Known primarily as the man to see about smuggling alcohol, Nucky must maintain liaisons with all sorts of seedy types while he tries to keep the feds off his tail.
Executive-produced by Martin Scorsese (who also established the look of the show by directing the first episode), Boardwalk Empire is an enthralling drama and character study anchored by commanding performances from a bevy of notable character actors. With pitch-perfect storytelling and incredible attention to period detail, the marriage between sensibilities from Scorsese and series showrunner Terence Winter (The Sopranos) created a successful series that was nominated for a number of Emmy and Golden Globe awards during its syndication.
Stream Boardwalk Empire now on HBO Max.
‘Ripper Street’ (2012-2016)
Ripper Street stars Succession’s Matthew MacFadyen in this series set in 1889 in the aftermath of the infamous murders committed by a man known only as Jack the Ripper. Though peace has reigned in the Whitechapel area of London for around six months, more women begin turning up dead. Detective Inspector Edmund Reid (MacFadyen) is hopeful that the Ripper has left, but he is drawn into the underworld of Victorian London with the emergence of these new murders.
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Critics praised Ripper Street for its stylish visuals and well-crafted plot lines that are both absorbing and delightfully macabre, while also featuring terrific character writing. In particular, audiences have pointed out the consistently gory nature of episodes, and viewers may not want to watch the series before eating a meal. But fans of blood and guts will have a blast, and even the more squeamish types will find plenty to love in the rich characters, performances, and narrative.
Watch Ripper Street now on Peacock.
