Netflix’s House of Guinness ends its first season on a chilling note: a gunshot, a blackout, and a lot of unanswered questions. The drama, crafted by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, has been steadily building toward this moment—Arthur Guinness standing before a crowd during his election speech, only for Paddy Cochrane to raise his pistol and fire.
But here’s the twist: history itself tells us Arthur can’t be dead. So what really happened in that finale, and what does it mean for the Guinness family moving forward? Let’s unpack it.
Did Arthur Guinness Actually Die in the House of Guinness Season 1 Ending?
The finale sets up Arthur’s potential assassination with heavy foreshadowing—mentions of Abraham Lincoln’s fate, political unrest, and Paddy Cochrane’s personal vendetta. By all storytelling logic, Arthur is the obvious target.
But if you glance at real history, Arthur Edward Guinness lived until 1915, decades beyond the events depicted in season 1. That means one of three things likely happened:
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Arthur was wounded but survived, adding drama without breaking historical truth.
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Paddy missed or hit someone else, leaving us with another shocking casualty to discover in season 2.
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The scene is a red herring, designed to amplify tension without delivering the obvious payoff.
This creative tension between history and fiction is where House of Guinness thrives.
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Why Did the Finale Bring All Four Guinness Siblings Together?
Despite the show’s title, the Guinness siblings—Arthur, Edward, Anne, and Benjamin—rarely share the screen. The finale reunites them, and it feels deliberate: a reminder that their personal struggles, however messy, are part of a larger family legacy.
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Arthur sacrifices for political ambition.
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Edward gives up passion for duty.
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Anne holds the family’s moral compass steady.
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Benjamin wrestles with addiction and forbidden love.
The scene works almost like a mirror to the first episode. Where they once seemed fractured in the wake of their father’s death, now they’re tied together by sacrifice, compromise, and ambition.
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What’s Next for Olivia and Sean Rafferty in House of Guinness?
Olivia’s romance with Sean Rafferty is one of the season’s emotional high points. Her defiance against Arthur’s demand to end the affair shows just how much power she wields in her own narrative.
By arranging weekly secret meetings, Olivia isn’t just clinging to love—she’s rewriting the rules of her marriage. It’s intimate rebellion against her husband’s authority and a nod to how personal relationships shaped political dynasties of the era.
Still, Sean Rafferty isn’t based on a real historical figure, which means the writers have freedom to shape their arc however they want—perhaps even tragically.
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What Does Edward’s Marriage to Adelaide Mean for Ellen?
Edward’s arc is a quieter tragedy. His connection with Ellen Cochrane had undeniable chemistry, but in the end, he chooses Adelaide. Why? Because in the Guinness world, duty often trumps desire.
Adelaide offers Edward political leverage and philanthropic partnership, but not the fiery intimacy he found with Ellen. Their “good enough” marriage is a stark reflection of how upper-class unions often worked at the time—strategic, not romantic.
Of course, as anyone who’s watched enough prestige drama knows, unfinished love stories have a way of resurfacing. Don’t count Ellen out just yet.
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Why Did Anne Sanction Benjamin’s Affair in House of Guinness?
Anne Guinness has been the family’s quiet stabilizer, often cleaning up Benjamin’s reckless messes. By allowing Christine to serve as his “official mistress,” she leans into a tradition that’s as pragmatic as it is scandalous.
It’s not approval so much as damage control. Anne recognizes Christine offers Benjamin respect and grounding he doesn’t find elsewhere. It’s another way House of Guinness uses personal choices to illuminate the blurred line between morality and necessity in a family under public scrutiny.
House of Guinness Cast: Who’s Who in Season 1
Here’s a quick look at the main cast and their roles in the saga:
| Actor | Character | Role in the Story |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Boyle | Arthur Guinness | Politician and heir navigating power and ambition |
| Louis Partridge | Edward Guinness | Torn between love and duty, philanthropist brother |
| Fionn O’Shea | Benjamin Guinness | Youngest sibling, battling alcoholism and scandal |
| Tuppence Middleton | Anne Guinness | Eldest sister, moral anchor and stabilizer |
| Madeleine Arthur | Lady Olivia Guinness | Arthur’s wife, defiant in love and independence |
| Jack Gleeson | Byron Hedges | Political ally entangled in family ambitions |
| Michael Smiley | Paddy Cochrane | Revolutionary figure and would-be assassin |
What Does the Cliffhanger Mean for House of Guinness Season 2?
The finale’s blackout moment guarantees one thing: House of Guinness season 2 will open in chaos. Whether Arthur is wounded, another character takes the bullet, or the shot misses entirely, the political and personal fallout will reshape the Guinness family’s trajectory.
And that’s the brilliance of the show—it bends history just enough to keep us guessing, while still anchoring the drama in real events like Ireland’s march toward independence.
READ MORE: Full Cast And Character Gen V Season 2 Cast
House of Guinness Season 1 streaming on Netflix.
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