If You Loved House of Guinness, You Can’t Miss This Netflix Masterpiece
If you’ve just blasted through the backstabbing and brewery battles of House of Guinness, you’re likely facing a formidable foe: the historical drama hangover. The potent mix of family betrayal, 19th-century ambition, and Steven Knight’s signature grit is a tough act to follow. But before you hit “Play” on Peaky Blinders for the fourth time, Netflix has another crown jewel waiting for you.
For those who crave the high-stakes power struggles of a legendary dynasty, but with a lavish, romantic twist, your next binge is crystal clear: The Empress.
From The Brewery To The Throne: Trading Barrels For A Crown
While House of Guinness had us immersed in the cutthroat world of a family business, The Empress elevates the stakes to a royal level. Forget controlling a beer empire; this is about controlling an entire nation. The series tells the incredible true story of Elisabeth “Sisi” of Bavaria, whose rebellious spirit and unexpected romance with Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria sent shockwaves through the heart of Europe in the 1850s.
Think of it this way:
- Instead of sibling rivalry, you get a fierce battle against a powerful mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophie, and a court full of scheming nobles.
- Instead of boardroom negotiations, you get high-stakes political intrigue in the opulent halls of the Viennese court.
- Instead of building a commercial empire, you have a young woman fighting to build a life and retain her identity against the crushing weight of tradition and duty.
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Why “The Empress” Is The Perfect Follow-Up
The connection between these two series runs deeper than just their 19th-century settings. Here’s why the transition from the Guinness family to the Habsburg court feels so seamless:
1. The “Outsider vs. The System” Vibe: Just as the Guinness siblings had to battle established norms and rivals to secure their legacy, Princess Sisi is the ultimate outsider. She is a free spirit thrust into the most rigid and manipulative court in Europe. Her struggle to reform the monarchy and assert her own power while being relentlessly criticized is a drama as tense as any business takeover.
2. Production Value That Demands Your Eyeballs: House of Guinness impressed with its gritty, authentic feel of Victorian-era Dublin and New York. The Empress matches that quality but with breathtaking opulence. The show is a visual feast, from the stunning costuming and grand palaces to its cinematic photography. It’s a world you can utterly lose yourself in.
3. A Central Conflict Driven by Passion and Power: At the heart of both shows is a powerful, complicated relationship. For House of Guinness, it’s the bonds of blood and business. For The Empress, it’s the passionate but politically tumultuous love between Franz Joseph and Sisi—a romance that literally reshaped an empire.
The Verdict: Your Next Historical Obsession Awaits
If you loved the familial power struggles, the rich historical setting, and the feeling of a world hanging in the balance that House of Guinness delivered, then The Empress is your non-negotiable next watch.
It takes the core themes that made the Guinness saga so compelling and refracts them through the dazzling prism of a royal court. So, pour yourself a drink (perhaps something from a certain Dublin brewery?) and prepare to pledge your allegiance to a new ruler. The court of The Empress is now in session on Netflix, and it is absolutely fit for a king—or a beer baron.
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