Crime and especially House of Money fans get the gift of a long-awaited series spin-off from Netflix just before the end of the year: Berlin starts a new heist in 8 episodes today.
Two years ago, the Spanish hit series House of Money ended on Netflix. The story of the criminal crew of the Professor (Álvaro Morte), who first robbed a banknote printing company and then the national bank, became an international surprise success. As a result, the streamer followed up the two purchased first seasons with three more in its own production. However, the series finale in season 5 was not a final farewell to all the characters.
Andrés de Fonollosa (Pedro Alonso), probably the most unpredictable member of the gang, became a fan favorite in House of Money. From tomorrow, the criminal will be telling his own backstory in the form of an earlier robbery. The new Netflix series bears his famous alias: Berlin.
Highly anticipated Netflix update with some new features: Berlin series takes place before House of Money
Last year, Netflix released the series remake House of Money: Korea. But the Asian remake of the Spanish hit disappointed across the board. Berlin is now set to save the criminal universe. At the center of the series this time is Pedro Alonso’s professional criminal, who actually died in season 2 but returned in many flashbacks in later seasons. His final return to life is possible because the series is set in Berlin long before House of Money
(House of Money prequel: Berlin with new crew)
The temporal classification as a prequel is not the only change compared to House of Money. This time, instead of Álvaro Morte’s professor, Berlin himself is the mastermind of his operation – with a well-rehearsed, completely new crew, including a shy technician (Michelle Jenner) and a loyal son-substitute (Julio Peña). Their ambitious heist takes them to Paris, where Berlin wants to make 44 million euros in jewels disappear like a magician. Money thefts are so yesterday’s news. And the French capital is also a new location.
For his coup, however, Berlin once again needs a plan with several steps, which leads the gang into the house of a goblet collector, under the bed of a dog owner and into the cellar of a church, among other places. Of course, not everything always goes according to plan. Especially not when Berlin falls head over heels in love with the wife of a spied-on victim. But what is more important: love or money?
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Netflix’s Berlin sticks to the recipe of House of Money despite deviations
What the trailer for the House of Money spin-off promised is already confirmed in episode 1: the prequel Berlin closely follows the tone of the original series. The connecting element is, of course, the eternally criminal title character. But the crazy twists and turns in the execution of the heist and the passion of the Spanish gang members, which often complicates everything, are also very reminiscent of the original. This is perhaps also due to the fact that series creator Álex Pina is once again involved – this time together with co-creator Esther Martínez Lobato (Vis a vis).
(Berlin chases gems in the House of Money prequel)
When looking at the new Heist, the question sometimes almost arises as to whether Berlin isn’t copying the Netflix recipe for success a little too closely. Because the new team also includes Damián (Tristán Ulloa) as a real professor this time and Bruce (Joel Sánchez) as a not-so-bright head for the rough stuff, reminiscent of Denver (Jaime Lorente). In addition, the reliable Roi (Julio Peña) and the hot-blooded Cameron (Begoña Vargas) evoke strong déjà vu memories of the love story of Rio and Tokyo (Miguel Herrán and Úrsula Corberó) in the ranks of the gang.
From this Friday, December 29, 2023, you can find out whether this Heist return works out for Netflix. The Berlin season comprises 8 episodes as a prequel to House of Money
