WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS.

House of Guinness, the historical drama by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, is now available on Netflix. The series delves into the true story of the family behind the iconic Guinness brewing company in 19th-century Ireland and New York.

After their father’s demise, his four children – Arthur (portrayed by Anthony Boyle), Edward (Louis Partridge), Anne (Emily Fairn) and Ben (Fionn O’Shea) are tasked with carrying on his legacy.

Arthur, as the eldest child, was the heir to the Guinness empire. Their father bequeathed the brewery to both Arthur and his brother Edward, triggering a complex sequence of events in the series.

The drama tracks Arthur’s reluctant foray into politics, while his personal relationships face intense scrutiny, reports the Irish Mirror.

Here’s everything you need to know about the real-life Arthur Guinness and his fate.

Was the real Arthur Guinness married?

Danielle Galligan portrays Lady Olivia Hedges in the series, a character based on the real Lady Olivia Charlotte Hedges-White, who was Arthur’s wife.

The pair tied the knot in 1871, with Lady Olivia being the daughter of The 3rd Earl of Bantry.

As depicted in the series, they enjoyed a happy marriage, albeit without children.

What was Arthur Guinness’s big secret?

In the series, it emerges that Arthur was engaged in homosexual affairs and was compelled to keep his sexuality under wraps.

He confided in his family and his wife, aware that if his secret were to leak, it would tarnish the family name.

In real life Arthur, also known as Lord Ardilaun, was said to have had “an unconventional marriage and was probably gay”, according to the Irish Times.

The Irish Independent added: “Ardilaun was probably gay and had an unconventional marriage which, it was agreed in advance, would not involve sex.”

Arthur Guinness’s election fraud scandal

The series focuses particularly on Arthur’s political role as he followed his father’s path as a parliamentary candidate.

The actual Arthur Guinness represented Dublin in the House of Commons, initially with support from the city’s publicans.

Nevertheless, he lost the seat in a court case after it emerged that voter bribery had been employed by his representatives.

He was re-elected subsequently, but lost the seat when his Conservative Party managers “tried to play the temperance card and the publicans finally deserted him”, the Irish Times explains.

The real Arthur Guinness’s death

The actual Arthur Guinness passed away in 1915 at his residence at St Anne’s, Raheny, and his barony became extinct following his death.

The cause of death has not been explicitly stated.

House of Guinness is on Netflix