James Norton Shines at House of Guinness Premiere with Real-Live Brewing Heirs

James Norton looked as dashing as ever on Tuesday night as he led the arrivals at the House Of Guinness premiere, held at London’s Picturehouse Central.

The actor, 40, is one of the main stars of the new Netflix period drama, and exuded leading man charisma as he posed on the appropriately dark-brown carpet.

The Happy Valley star cut a dapper figure in a tailored dark navy suit with a matching blue button-up underneath and patent leather loafers.

And paying homage to the iconic Irish stout, James pinned several Guinness-themed brooches to his lapel.

While also in attendance at the premiere were several real-life members of the Guinness dynasty, who were the inspiration for the new TV series.

House Of Guinness tells the story of the legendary family behind the world-famous brewery, set against the backdrop of 19th-century Dublin and New York.

The famous alcoholic beverage was founded by Arthur Guinness in 1759, and his descendants Lady Mary Charteris, Daphne Guinness, Lord Ned Iveagh, Ivana Lowell, Jasmine Guinness and Celeste Guinness arrived at the screening together.

Lady Mary put on a very racy display, as she flashed her underwear in a sheer black knitted dress boasting multiple cutouts and metallic ball detailing.

The socialite is the youngest child of James Charteris and his first wife Catherine, who is the daughter of Guinness heir Jonathan Guinness, 3rd Baron Moyne. 

Lady Mary has made a name for herself through modelling for the likes of Tatler, Vanity Fair, Vogue and Love, and is now best known as a DJ and member of electronic rock band The Big Pink.

Meanwhile, Daphne, daughter of Jonathan Guinness and Suzanne Lisney and granddaughter of Diana Mitford, commanded attention thanks to her bold bouffant hairdo.

She caught the eye in an elegant black frock coat with a ruffled neck and matching shorts, teamed with a towering pair of platform heels.

She added to the avant-garde look by sporting a quirky metallic glove on one hand and painting silver stripes over her eyebrows, ears and down her jawline.

While daughter of Patrick Guinness and Liz Casey, Jasmine, opted for an elegant black gown, with a one-shouldered design and a Grecian-inspired draped silhouette.

Edward, 4th Earl of Iveagh and son of Benjamin Guinness appeared in cheerful spirits, looking sharp in a grey suit and blue shirt.

Brewery heiress Celeste stole the show in a black satin suit adorned with Guinness-themed patches and safety pins and sporting a punk-style shaggy mullet.

Posing up a storm for the photographers, she then sent pulses racing as she opened her jacket to reveal her bare chest underneath for a daring look.

While Ivana opted for timeless elegance as she slipped into a lacy black dress encrusted in sparkling gems that clung to her svelte figure.

Ivana is the daughter of novelist Lady Caroline Blackwood and granddaughter of one of ‘golden Guinness girls’ Maureen, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava.

It was her who came up with the idea for the House Of Guinness, after being inspired while watching Downton Abbey to tell her family’s own ‘juicier and more interesting’ story.

She wrote a 20-page television treatment of the story of her ancestors, which has now been brought to the screen by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

Speaking to The BBC this week, Ivana explained that she had created the character James plays, handsome brewery foreman Sean Rafferty, to provide ‘the conflict and the passion that makes a story interesting’.

She explained her desire to do her ancestors justice, admitting: ‘I didn’t want them to be villains, but any business person has to be ruthless, especially in those times.’

But she also insisted that today’s Guinness family were not bothered by her airing the dirty laundry of their predecessors, saying: ‘We are not high and mighty about our reputation, we have a very good sense of humour about ourselves’.

Speaking about working with Ivana to create the gritty eight-part series, Steven gushed: ‘Ivana is an absolute mine of information and untold stories about the family going back years. 

‘Meeting her was the best bit of research imaginable because you didn’t just get the stories, you got the [family] confidence, and the spirit and the slight madness… I was hooked.’

According to Netflix, the series ‘explores an epic story inspired by one of Europe’s most famous and enduring dynasties – the Guinness Family.’

The synopsis continues: ‘Set in 19th-century Dublin and New York, the story begins immediately after the death of Sir Benjamin Guinness, the man responsible for the extraordinary success of the Guinness brewery.

‘And the far-reaching impact of his will on the fate of his four adult children, Arthur, Edward, Anne, and Ben, as well as on a group of Dublin characters who work and interact with the phenomenon that is Guinness.’

The all-star line-up includes Masters Of The Air actor Anthony Boyle as Arthur, while Enola Holmes star Louis Partridge plays his brother Edward. 

Emily Fairn, known for The Responder, steps into the role of Anne, and Normal People’s Fionn O’Shea rounds out the siblings as Ben.

The cast is further bolstered by Dublin-born actress Dervla Kirwan, and Game of Thrones favourite Jack Gleeson.

And Anthony dressed to the nines for the premiere, looking handsome in a royal blue blazer and silk navy shirt, left partially unbuttoned to flash a glimpse of his chest.

Dervla was the picture of glamour in a strapless emerald green gown with an asymmetrical bodice that accentuated her tiny waist.

Emily cut an ethereal figure in a flowing chiffon cape dress decorated in a colourful pattern of wildflowers and boasting a diamond-studded collar.

Jack – who plays Byron Hughes – kept things classic and smart in a dark blue suit completed with collared shirt and a matching navy tie.

Patrick Cochrane actor Seamus O’Hara stood out from the crowd in a forest green shirt and trousers, with a colourful scarf wrapped around his hips.

While Niamh McCormack, who stars as Ellen Cochrane, ensured all eyes were on her in a cream halterneck minidress that showcased her long legs.

Elizabeth Dulau, who also stars in the series as Lady Henrietta, dazzled in a black turtleneck and completely sheer maxi skirt embroidered with intricately beaded rainclouds.

House Of Guinness will chronicle the extraordinary success of the family behind the famous Irish brewery.

But behind the story of wealth and prosperity lies a tragic tale of seemingly endless misfortune for the family.

From Tara Browne, who died following a car crash in South Kensington, to scandalous affairs and divorces and the tragic drowning of Honor Uloth aged just 19 in 2020, the family seems to have been dealt a series of devastating blows.

The personal losses faced by the Guinnesses have become so infamous that it is thought to be ‘cursed’, despite holding a fortune of over £900million today.

Speaking about the show, creator Steven commented: ‘The Guinness dynasty is known the world over – wealth, poverty, power, influence, and great tragedy are all intertwined to create a rich tapestry of material to draw from.

‘I’ve always been fascinated by their stories and am excited to bring the characters to life for the world to see.’

House Of Guinness is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on Thursday, September 25.