Return to the scene of the crime with ‘Money Heist’ spinoff ‘Berlin’

Since its debut on December 29, 2023, Money Heist spinoff Berlin has consistently secured its place in Netflix’s top series.

The show stars none other than fan-favorite Berlin (Pedro Alonso) and introduces his “old” crew, including code virtuoso Keila (Michelle Jenner), engineering and physics academic Damián (Tristan Ulloa), locksmith Roi (Julio Peña Fernández), gadget and weapon expert Bruce (Joel Sánchez), and enigma Cameron (Begoña Vargas).

While set years before the daring heist at The Royal Mint of Spain, Berlin has orchestrated a captivating reunion of sorts. The spinoff reintroduces iconic characters from the original series, such as Raquel Murillo (Itziar Ituńo) and Alicia Sierra (Najwa Nimri).

Showrunners Álex Pina and Esther Martinez introduce a new angle to this prequel, emphasizing that while Berlin offers a “lighter” approach to the beloved series, its emphasis on “love” is what makes it unique from the original material: “We always look for elements that really connect with the viewer, and love is one of those elements. And there are so many facets to love. In fact, the story shows a range of types of love in which the characters vie to show different moments of love, to show different situations.”

Echoing the showrunners’ sentiments, Berlin titular character actor Pedro Alonso says: “I’ve often heard that Berlin is a cynic. Not at all. He’s sarcastic, he has a diabolically dark sense of humor, and he can be fascinating, a real prick, whatever you want, but not a cynic. He’s a man who’s committed to rediscovering a great life, falling in love in the face of common sense and logic. A man who’s made to love, in spite of everything.”

Apart from its fresh and gripping narrative, Berlin captivates viewers with stunning locations, shot in 146 places across various provinces in Spain like Madrid, Almeria, and León, as well as the romantic city of Paris. The series showcases breathtaking scenes filmed in iconic Parisian landmarks, including the Church of Saint Julien Le Pauvre, Château d’ Ormesson-sur-Marne, Sacré Coeur, and other streets of Montmartre.

The show also charms with its curated music, including tracks created specifically for the show: “Bullets and Flowers” by Francis White and Nikki García, “No me mires” by POL 3,14., and “Tout Ou Rien” by Pipo Romero.