"Berlin" is the long-awaited spin-off of the hit Spanish thriller "Money Heist" (La Casa de Papel), which premiered on Netflix on December 29, 2023.
Serving as a prequel, the series explores the life of one of the original's most charismatic and polarizing characters—Andrés de Fonollosa, known as Berlin—during his "golden age," long before the events of the famous heist at the Royal Mint of Spain.
A Vibrant World and Provocative Characters
The show is exceptionally vibrant and atmospheric. Creators Álex Pina and Esther Martínez Lobato deliberately made "Berlin" lighter and more comedic than "Money Heist," infusing it with more romance and flair.
A Star-Studded Cast:
Pedro Alonso once again brilliantly portrays Berlin—a sociopathic yet charming thief with refined manners and a complex personality.
He is joined by an equally striking cast:
- Michelle Jenner (Keila) — an actress with magnetic charisma
- Begoña Vargas (Cameron) — a talented lead performer
- Julio Peña (Roi) — a young actor who has captivated audiences
- Tristán Ulloa (Damián) — a seasoned veteran in bold roles
In the second season, released on May 15, 2026, Samantha Siqueiros joined the ensemble as Camille Polignac.
Why Should You Watch?
"Berlin" strikes the perfect balance between a crime thriller, romantic drama, and comedy. The series reveals Berlin’s human side: his pathological romanticism, empathy, and unique worldview.
Can a successful crime saga be built around a character the writers prematurely killed off back in the flagship show's second season? Netflix proved it's possible. The charmingly psychopathic aesthete Andrés de Fonollosa, better known as Berlin, has returned to screens not merely as nostalgic flashbacks, but as the sole lead of his own franchise.
While the connection to the original "Money Heist" (La Casa de Papel) is structural, it remains subtle. "Berlin" is a classic prequel. The story takes place roughly four years before the iconic storming of the Royal Mint of Spain. In this setting, the protagonist is still unaware of his terminal illness, has yet to don the signature red jumpsuit, and is fully enjoying his "golden age" as a professional thief. For veteran fans, the creators left behind familiar breadcrumbs: the investigation features recurring appearances by inspectors Raquel Murillo and Alicia Sierra. Even Berlin himself makes a passing mention of his brother, the Professor, who is currently "wasting his life developing a single project."
In spirit, however, this is a completely different production. If "Money Heist" stifled the viewer with claustrophobia, confined spaces, and heavy psychological drama, Álex Pina and Esther Martínez Lobato’s solo project is a glossy, sun-drenched adventure. The very formula of the crime has shifted. The struggle against the system has been replaced by pure hedonism.
The ensemble cast was chosen with an emphasis on flamboyance and visual polish. Pedro Alonso, playing Berlin, has refined the image of the narcissistic leader to its absolute peak. He sings, falls in love, makes foolish decisions for women, and manages a new team of young adventurers whose archetypes are intentionally contrasted with the gritty Serbian mercenaries or rebels from the original show. This color attracts a new audience that didn't require the heavy-handedness of the previous drama.
The recent May release of the second season, which shifted the location from Paris to Seville and centered on a Leonardo da Vinci painting, demonstrated that the formula still works. It is a breezy, aesthetic production that broadens the reach of streaming franchises. Did the creators learn from their past mistakes? Most certainly. They realized that audiences sometimes don't want an anti-capitalist manifesto, but rather a beautifully crafted illusion played by eccentric professionals.
Viewers can expect to find:
- Exquisite style and the atmosphere of Paris
- Witty dialogue and charismatic characters
- Thrilling heists with comedic elements
- Romantic subplots that reveal a new side of Berlin
This is must-watch television for any fan of "Money Heist" and lovers of high-quality Spanish cinema with its unique charm and flair!
