The sides are clear in House of Guinness. Protestant or Catholic? Unionist or Fenian? A pint of Guinness or a punch in the face? However, one person in the mess of 19th-century Dublin manages to find the gray area in the most polarizing of scenarios: Bryon Hedges, played by Game of Thrones star Jack Gleeson. 

The scene-stealing Irish actor adds a dash of mercurial unpredictability as Bryon, the son of a wealthy Protestant mother and a Catholic rebel (also known as a Fenian). Byron is the kind of man who sees an opportunity and ruthlessly capitalizes on it. He recognizes one such opening when he learns Edward Guinness (Louis Partridge) — the forward-thinking brewery-obsessed heir to his family’s fortune — is planning to expand his beer empire to America. Byron offers himself as a Guinness representative to the US of A. Gleeson says he “hopes viewers enjoy watching Byron as much as I enjoyed playing him. 

“He’s in this special position that he can use to gain a bit of leverage on the Guinness family,” Gleeson — who also appeared in The Sandman and Sex Education — says. “So he takes his shot, and it turns out well for him. Then he just continues on a winning streak. He’s definitely someone who’s quite resilient and ambitious. It’s really fun to play.” 

Series creator Steven Knight was impressed by Gleeson’s ability to pull off the “sleight of hand” necessary for the role. “Byron represents the way that Guinness came in to America, which was a bit of a deceit. They are this Unionist family, depending upon the largely Irish Catholic population of New York and Boston to make their plan happen,” the House of Guinness writer and creator says. “Jack brings something that’s not expected. I wrote Byron in a certain way and then Jack is so gleeful. He’s so bouncy.” 

Gleeson’s energy is on full display during a key scene in Episode 4, when Byron lands in New York City. He’s confronted by anti-Irish Catholic firefighters and forced to run through the maze of downtown Manhattan. He stumbles through winding corridors, sidesteps a snarling dog, and shocks the onlooking denizens of the Bowery. “It was a lot of running, which was fun,” Gleeson says with a smile. “It was probably good for my cardio overall.” 

Now Gleeson is figuring out what makes Byron tick, from his family history to his “cheeky” curls. 

An edited version of the conversation follows.

PHOTO BY BEN BLACKALL

What appealed to you about getting involved in this project — and specifically the role of Byron?
Gleeson: When the audition came in, I read the scene, and Byron just felt like a really lively character. You could tell he was a really well-rounded guy. Then I found out it was a Steven Knight project. He’s such a genius. So it was kind of a no-brainer. I just fell in love with the world that he’d created — the playfulness, the cheekiness, the wiliness of Byron. 

Who is Byron, and where does he fit into the story?
Gleeson: Byron knows, through his connections, that the Fenian Brotherhood runs the ports —– and if Guinness wants to be sold and imported, they’ll need the Irish Brotherhood on their side. That’s a group who would [traditionally] never go near the Guinnesses; they’re Protestant, upper class, and from a completely different world. 

Byron is someone with a foot in both camps. His father was an Irish rebel who died for the cause. His mother was a wealthy Protestant. He uses that to make himself valuable to the Guinnesses. He’s able to use his smooth-talking ability to convince both sides to come together and make a profitable enterprise. 

PHOTO BY BEN BLACKALL

How has it been working with Louis Partridge, Anthony Boyle (Arthur), and the rest of the team?
Gleeson: It’s been so, so amazing. My first day was with Louis and he was just wonderful. He’s such a brilliant actor and a calm, relaxed guy, that it just instantly felt relaxed. Anthony and I hit it off from the get-go, too —  a shared sense of humor. He is an insanely talented guy; House of Guinness was just a pleasure from start to finish.

Can you tell us about Byron’s costume and hair — and how they helped you shape the character?
Gleeson: Costume-wise, it mirrors Byron’s arc. He’s a flashy guy. He likes the finer things in life — probably didn’t have a lot of money growing up. So when he finally gets some, he spends it. The costume really helps bring that out, so thank you to Edward K. Gibbon and Nadine Clifford-Davern, of the costume design team! 

And the hair — Konnie Daniel and her brilliant team give me beautiful curls. That is not my real hair. I’ve got the flattest, straightest hair imaginable. So I get to spend about half an hour every morning getting lovely curls put in. They add to Byron’s unusual, cheeky, chatty quality. 

PHOTO BY BEN BLACKALL

What are your hopes for the show as a whole?
Gleeson: Hopefully, audiences will feel immersed in this world, which has been so immaculately crafted. We can get T-shirts made, little dolls, Byron Hedges action figures! But seriously, I just hope people buy into the storytelling and get lost in this brilliant world.

Step inside House of Guinness yourself by streaming the series now. Keep coming back to Tudum as more news is served.