Dervla Kirwan has said she feels very lucky to be part of Netflix's new historical drama about the Guinness family and admits the show is a visual and educational delight.
The actress, who is well-known for her roles in RTÉ drama Smother and True Detective: Night Country, is set to take on the role of Aunt Agnes Guinness in the new series House of Guinness which premieres on the streaming giant later this month.
The show opens in the immediate aftermath of Benjamin Guinness's death, with the siblings - Arthur (Anthony Boyle), Edward (Louis Partridge), Anne (Emily Fairn), and Ben (Fionn O'Shea) confronted with a dramatic will that forces Arthur and Edward to jointly run the family brewery or forfeit everything.
Asked what her character really makes of the Guinness brothers, she said: "We say 'craziness' in the lower classes and 'eccentricity' in the moneyed classes – but either way, there’s something unpredictable about them. Whether that’s power, money, or something in the bloodline… who knows? But it’s clearly a difficult job. Almost impossible."
Kirwan praised her co-stars Boyle and Partridge and said they were "great fun" to work with.
"A lot of actors say this during interviews, but it genuinely has been a wonderful experience," she said. "I feel particularly privileged to work with a younger generation of actors who are not only brilliant at their jobs but also not lazy. They arrive on time. They know their lines. They don’t take any of it for granted. They work really hard. And they’re just a lovely bunch of people."
Kirwan says viewers will really appreciate the details and care that has gone into bringing House of Guinness to life.
"We filmed in a private chapel - one of only three in the UK. It’s breathtaking. I imagine any history buff would be salivating while walking around," she explained. "And that’s just one location. I feel really privileged. I hope when audiences watch the show, they see the detail, care, and love that’s gone into everything, not just the acting."
She added: "The lighting, direction, music, costume, sets… it should be a visual treat - and an educational one, too. There’s so much about the Guinness family that I never knew. It’s been exciting to be part of it."
House of Guinness will premiere on Netflix on Thursday, 25 September.
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