Pedro Alonso, ‘Money Heist’ actor from ‘Berlin,’ characterizes spinoff as a ‘romantic comedy’

Berlin star Pedro Alonso

Pedro Alonso, best known for his role as Berlin in Netflix’s “Money Heist,” reveals that the spinoff series, “Berlin,” is a departure from money heists and is instead centered around love. Alonso characterized the spinoff as a “romantic comedy,” emphasizing a shift in tone from the original series.

In “Money Heist,” the central plot revolves around a group of criminals pulling off a massive heist at the Bank of Spain. However, in the spinoff “Berlin,” Alonso’s character takes a backseat in terms of heists. The new series explores Berlin’s backstory, focusing on his time as a jewelry thief attempting to execute a major heist in Paris.

money heist

Alonso jokingly mentions during an interview  that they are “stealing the mythology of romantic love from the French.” The spinoff, created by Álex Pina and Esther Martínez Lobato, provides insights into Berlin’s life before his terminal diagnosis and before joining The Professor in robbing the Bank of Spain.

Describing “Berlin” as “much less dense” and “much more free of torment” compared to the original series, Alonso highlights the spinoff’s different energetic atmosphere. While “Money Heist” was action-packed, “Berlin” takes on a dark romantic comedy tone, with Alonso reprising his role alongside Samantha Siqueiros as Camile.

In the spinoff, Berlin becomes enamored with Camile, the wife of a man he is stalking for information about the jewelry heist. Alonso explains that the series delves into moments of “grand splendor” for the character as he loses himself in a steamy love affair amid the heist.

The spinoff introduces a lighter side of Berlin, characterized by comedy and romantic elements. Despite Berlin’s inherent unpredictability and danger, Alonso notes that the character takes on a more feel-good movie protagonist persona in “Berlin.”

The development of the spinoff faced delays due to the pandemic, and Alonso expresses the team’s desire to offer viewers a sense of levity, especially considering the global events, such as the Russia-Ukraine war. Maintaining Berlin’s magic while introducing a new tone was a key focus during the filming process.

Reflecting on the decision to reprise his role for the spinoff, Alonso acknowledges the media frenzy surrounding “Money Heist” but quickly agreed to the role after a brief contemplation. The challenge, he notes, was in reinventing the character’s energy for the spinoff, allowing Berlin to navigate different genres, tones, and galaxies.

Addressing the potential for a second season of “Berlin,” Alonso mentions that there is no official confirmation from Netflix, and only time will tell if the spinoff continues. “Money Heist” has been a global hit, gaining immense popularity since its premiere in 2017, and “Berlin” adds a new dimension to the beloved character, further exploring his past and showcasing a different side of Berlin’s persona.

As the spinoff unfolds, viewers are taken on a journey filled with dark romantic comedy, heist adventures, and a deeper understanding of the enigmatic character, Berlin.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *