{"id":42663,"date":"2023-12-29T09:00:34","date_gmt":"2023-12-29T08:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1950203"},"modified":"2023-12-29T10:34:06","modified_gmt":"2023-12-29T09:34:06","slug":"money-heist-recap-what-to-know-before-watching-berlin","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/money-heist-recap-what-to-know-before-watching-berlin\/","title":{"rendered":"Money Heist recap: What to know before watching Berlin"},"content":{"rendered":"

The essential info you need to enjoy the exciting new series. <\/p>

By David Craig\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 29 December 2023 at 08:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Warning: This article contains some spoilers for the original Money Heist series.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Netflix is dropping its action-packed crime thriller Berlin<\/a> between Christmas and New Year, making it the perfect show to dive into if you have some festive downtime to spend.<\/p>\n

Although technically a prequel to the phenomenally successful Money Heist<\/a>, the show can easily be enjoyed without having watched the original series as there are relatively few references or connections.<\/p>\n

However, if you would like some context on the life and times of the title character \u2013 played by Pedro Alonso \u2013 as well as some other returning guests, look no further than our bite-sized recap below.<\/p>\n

Sparing excessive detail, this article can act as your concise rundown (or reminder) of the key players in Money Heist, allowing you to watch Berlin in confidence that you aren\u2019t missing anything.<\/p>\n

Who is Berlin in Money Heist?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Berlin\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Pedro Alonso stars in Money Heist: Berlin<\/span><\/figcaption> Tamara Arranz\/Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Berlin is one of the crew members behind a jaw-dropping robbery of Spain\u2019s Royal Mint, which was depicted in seasons 1 and 2 of Money Heist.<\/p>\n

He was trusted to take charge of what goes on inside the building by his brother, The Professor (\u00c1lvaro Morte), who monitored the operation from a remote hideout.<\/p>

Berlin quickly became a favourite of fans due largely to Pedro Alonso\u2019s enigmatic performance, with the Spanish actor switching effortlessly between a charming, reassuring persona and one that was far more sinister.<\/p>\n

Indeed, his darker deeds have made him a subject of debate among fans in the years since Money Heist premiered.<\/p>\n

Why is Berlin controversial in Money Heist?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Berlin,\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Berlin, Tokyo and Rio welcome guests to The Royal Mint.<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Berlin acts erratically throughout Money Heist seasons 1 and 2, using terrifying threats and acts of violence to keep his hostages (and fellow crew members) in line.<\/p>\n

One particular storyline that has proven controversial sees Berlin begin a sexual relationship with one of his hostages; Royal Mint employee Ariadna Cascales (played by Clara Alvarado).<\/p>\n

This only happens because Ariadna fears that, unless she becomes close to Berlin, he will kill her at some point during the heist. Obviously, it is not possible to give consent under intimidation and, therefore, Berlin is a rapist.<\/p>\n

For some viewers, this disturbing plot has eradicated any interest they had in following the character.<\/p>\n

Others argue that it is not necessary to approve of Berlin\u2019s actions in order to be interested in him, with fan demand ultimately seeing the character brought back via flashbacks in later seasons.<\/p>\n

How does Berlin die in Money Heist?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Berlin is killed at the end of the Royal Mint heist in Money Heist season 2.<\/p>\n

We learn that, prior to the crime taking place, he had received a diagnosis of terminal illness, which leads him to sacrifice himself so that the rest of the team can escape.<\/p>\n

He keeps Ariadna with him, against her will, until the bitter end \u2013 although she seemingly survives the shoot-out that takes Berlin\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

When is Money Heist: Berlin set?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Netflix hasn\u2019t revealed the specific year in which Money Heist: Berlin takes place, but the official synopsis states that it\u2019s \u201ca time when he still has no inkling of his illness and hasn\u2019t gotten trapped like a rat in the Spanish Mint\u201d.<\/p>\n

Who is Raquel Murillo in Money Heist?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Raquell\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
(L-R) Itziar Itu\u00f1o and Najwa Nimri star in Money Heist: Berlin<\/span><\/figcaption> Carla Oset\/Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Besides Alonso in the title role, Money Heist: Berlin sees the return of two other characters from the original series.<\/p>\n

Raquel Murillo (Itziar Itu\u00f1o) is a Spanish police detective, who is brought in as chief negotiator when the Royal Mint is taken over by The Professor\u2019s gang.<\/p>\n

Little does she know that a handsome stranger she has befriended at a local bar is, in fact, The Professor himself, who is using a personal connection to the official to further his plan.<\/p>\n

Eventually, a genuine romance blossoms between them, with Raquel ultimately switching sides \u2013 joining his gang under the pseudonym \u2018Lisbon\u2019.<\/p>\n

Who is Alicia Sierra in Money Heist?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Alicia\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Alicia Sierra<\/span><\/figcaption> Netflix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

After Raquel Murillo\u2019s defection, another Spanish detective is brought in to deal with The Professor\u2019s crew as they attempt a second daring robbery \u2013 this time, eyeing 90 tons of gold from the Bank of Spain.<\/p>\n

Alicia Sierra is a highly intelligent detective, but markedly more cruel than her predecessor.<\/p>\n

She barbarically tortures crew member Rio (Miguel Herr\u00e1n) when he is taken into custody, while her insistence on smoking when heavily pregnant has been interpreted as exposing a genuine disregard for the well-being of others.<\/p>\n

Sierra is a key player in Money Heist between seasons 3 and 5, which she spends in a bitter rivalry with former colleague Lisbon (n\u00e9e Raquel). That\u2019s why it\u2019s so strange to see them as friends in the Money Heist: Berlin trailer (see below).<\/p>\n