‘Money Heist’ spin-off ‘Berlin’ set at Netflix
Money Heist, also known as La Casa De Papel, is finally coming to an end, but the story will still continue for some of the characters in Netflix’s hit show.
The streamer has announced that a spin-off of the hit Spanish crime drama series, centered around popular character Berlin, is set to launch in 2023.
The character of Berlin or Andrés de Fonollosa, played by Pedro Alonso is the second-in-command of the Royal Mint of Spain heist featured in the series’ first two seasons. He is also shown as one of the main planners of the Bank of Spain heist, along with The Professor and Palermo in flashback scenes in the final three seasons.
Despite dying early in the show’s run, Berlin is considered one of the series most popular characters and is a fan favorite among audiences despite his many flaws.
Spanish actor Alonso himself and series creator Alex Pina both publicly described Berlin’s character as deplorable, misogynistic, racist, and a sometimes-psychopath in last year’s Netflix documentary Money Heist: The Phenomenon.
“It is a memorable moment because it is the end of one cycle and the beginning of another,” Alonso said at a Netflix fan event on Tuesday. “Today I was talking to Jesús Colmenar and we were saying that now we walk into the unknown, open to whatever happens and without expectations.”
Aside from the spin-off, the Spanish series is also getting a Korean adaptation with no other than Squid Game’s Park Hae-soo, set to portray the character of Berlin. Netflix previously announced the cast for the upcoming 12-episode series adaptation earlier this year.
Series creator Alex Pina will executive produce the adaptation while Kim Hong-sun (Voice, The Guest) will direct off a screenplay written by Ryu Yong-jae (My Holo Love). The adaptation will reportedly be set on the Korean peninsula and will feature a fresh take on the original series' familiar heist storyline.
Hae-Soo, who plays Cho Sang-woo in the hit dystopian drama series Squid Game shared a video message for fans ahead of the series’ fifth and final season.
“In the past five years, fans around the world have shown their love for the series. I hope our Korean version also receives your love and support,” said Park in a Korean video message while holding one of the show’s signature Dali heist masks. “It is an honor for me to participate in such a wonderful series and above all to make Berlin an amazing character. I’m sure the rest of the cast of the Korean version feels the same way as I do,” he added.
In the video, Park thanked Pedro Alonso for giving him the “famous mask” and promised to give him the one they use in the Korean version next year in return.
According to Netflix, before Squid Game was launched worldwide, La Casa de Papel was its most-watched non-English-language drama until that point and had been seen by 180 million households worldwide.
The last five episodes of Money Heist are dropping on Friday, Dec. 3.