TV Romance
‘House of Guinness’ History Lesson: What Happened to Arthur Guinness & Olivia in Real Life?
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for House of Guinness Season 1.]
Like his siblings, Arthur (Anthony Boyle) has quite the tumultuous love life in House of Guinness. Things may have been looking up for Guinness heir by the end of Season 1 (at least before there was an attempt on his life), but that’s firmly not the case when it comes to his romantic pursuits.
Arthur, as we come to discover quickly in the show, likes men. Given the time period, not only would Arthur have been imprisoned if his sexuality had been publicized, but the brewery business would have been ruined, too. When rebel leader Ellen (Niamh McCormack) discovers his secret, the family reluctantly meets her demands. The situation also pushes Arthur to enter a lavender marriage with Olivia (Danielle Galligan), who knows full well what she’s getting into.
Does Arthur marry and stay with Olivia in real life? Does Arthur actually love Olivia? Did historians ever confirm Arthur’s sexuality? We have all the answers and more below.
Who does Arthur end up with in House of Guinness?
In a way, Arthur ends up with Olivia. However, let’s take a look back at how they arrived at that point.
Arthur falls for a brewery worker named Patrick (Cuan Hosty-Blaney), whom he winds up taking to a party in Episode 7. The night takes a turn when Patrick warns Arthur that cops are about to raid the place. They escape by hiding, but Arthur confronts his lover. It doesn’t take long for Arthur to realize that Reverend Henry, who’s still bitter about not being in Arthur Sr.’s will, put Patrick up to it.
Throwing cash at him, a hurt Arthur asks if Patrick sold him out for money. When the cops circle back, however, the two share one last tender moment as Arthur cradles Patrick to his chest protectively. Patrick explains that Henry was going to expose his sexuality to his father if he didn’t follow his demands. Arthur decides to end things for Patrick’s safety. The latter tries to convince him otherwise, but Arthur is unswayed.
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Arthur gets jealous of Olivia’s feelings for Rafferty (James Norton), her lover and the Guinness family enforcer. (It’s worth mentioning that the character was created for the show.) Arthur realizes the depth of their relationship after Olivia learns she’s pregnant with Rafferty’s child. Olivia later has an abortion.
In earlier episodes, Arthur and Olivia agree not to consummate their marriage, and they are allowed to have dalliances with whomever they choose. Arthur tacks on one extra rule for Olivia: She can’t fall for any of her lovers.
Seeing Oliva’s relationship with Rafferty as a breach of contract, Arthur forces them to end their relationship. Though they considered going against his wishes and running away together, both eventually comply. Olivia sits next to Arthur on stage at his political rally at the end of the season.
Was Arthur Guinness gay in real life?
Nothing has been confirmed, but biographer Joe Joyce, who wrote 2009’s The Guinnesses: The Untold Story of Ireland’s Most Successful Family, thinks so. Like the show, his book claims that Arthur and Olivia’s union was a “mariage blanc,” which means they didn’t have sex, implying that “Sir Arthur was gay.”
Who did Arthur Guinness marry in real life?
Arthur did, in fact, marry Olivia in real life. They wed in 1871. They remained married until Arthur’s death in 1915, and they had no children. “What history tells us is they actually really liked each other, and they almost loved each other,” Knight told Tudum. “So what began as this sort of quite cynical deal actually ends in a beautiful relationship.”
Does Arthur love Olivia in House of Guinness?
The answer isn’t quite as straightforward as you may think, according to Knight. “He sort of falls in love with his wife and starts getting a bit jealous,” Knight told Tudum of the situation with Rafferty. “He really likes Olivia — they get on like a house on fire because they’re very similar people.”
Boyle had a similar take. “Arthur loves her. He wants to control her. It’s such a messy, complex relationship,” the actor said. “Sometimes it felt like we were in love with each other. Sometimes it felt like we hated each other. Danielle and I wanted to keep it like that. To keep the relationship fresh and complicated.”
So has their relationship taken a romantic turn, at least on Arthur’s part? Or is it a friendly or familial kind of love? We’re guessing the latter, but who knows what direction the show might go.
What do you think of Arthur’s romances in House of Guinness? Let us know in the comments below!
House of Guinness, Season 1, Streaming Now, Netflix
