Netflix is home to some perfect thriller series, but one of its best is still criminally underrated. Until relatively recently, streaming channels overwhelmingly aired shows in English, but even before Squid Game revolutionized the industry by popularizing non-English productions, Netflix was airing a phenomenal Spanish crime thriller that has become one of the genre’s most recognizable icons.
Money Heist had been a two-part limited series airing on the Spanish network, Antena 3, but it became a huge streaming success after Netflix acquired the rights and renewed the show for three more seasons. This was followed by a South Korean remake, which followed the original story and characters. As the original series was not expected to continue past season two, this led to one mistake.
The characters in Money Heist are all compelling, but the show’s best antihero, Berlin, met his end in season 2, and had the series been planned for a longer run, it is likely that he would have survived. Writer Álex Pina has expressed regret for killing off Berlin, and fans should watch the original show before discovering his spinoff, as season 2 airs on May 15th 2026.
Berlin Is Not The Only Money Heist Character Who Could Have A Spinoff
In a TV show full of morally complex characters, the terminally ill, womanizing Berlin, was easily the most interesting. His position as the heist’s inside mastermind combined with his bitterness made him one of the most dangerous, especially when he felt that his control was slipping. However, his charm and Pedro Alonso’s standout performance also made him popular with viewers.
After Berlin was killed in season 2, he appeared regularly in flashbacks for the remainder of the show, which revealed more about his backstory and connection to the mysterious Professor. In 2021, Netflix announced that a Berlin-focused Money Heist prequel TV series was in the works, and would follow his previous life as a jewel thief before his illness.
While Berlin is easily the most charismatic character in Money Heist, he is not the only character who could carry a spinoff. Each of the characters were picked for the heist based on a specific strength. The fan favorite Nairobi, was an expert counterfeiter, and a spinoff about her troubled life before the heist could have given viewers more time with her.
The Professor might be the obvious choice for a Money Heist spinoff, but another less obvious one would be Cincinnati. While he appears in the later seasons, it is to represent the emotional stakes for his parents, Denver and Stockholm. Money Heist is aging well, so the concept could easily be revived for a show focused on Cincinatti and his crime family.
Why Money Heist Will Remain A Timeless Crime Masterpiece
Image courtesy of Everett Collection
Money Heist is a must-watch for heist fans, as the show was so perfectly written, with few plot holes and some incredible twists and action scenes. That said, plenty of crime thrillers have these elements without achieving the same critical success, while Money Heist stood out for its social commentary, which ran through the entire story without dominating it.
Money Heist often highlighted the economic disparity between rich and poor, and the ways in which people are driven to desperation to escape their circumstances. This “Robin Hood” aspect had a major role to play in the story, as the characters worked to get the public on their side. This played a huge part in season 3, where they dropped money from the sky.
The Three Money Heist Shows
Title
Year
Seasons aired
Rotten Tomatoes Critics’ Rating
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating
Money Heist
2017
5
94%
81%
Money Heist: Korea: Joint Economic Area
2022
1
71%
66%
Money Heist: Berlin
2023
1
70%
63%
There are plenty of crime shows that have more style than substance, but Money Heist has both. The iconic red jumpsuits and Salvador Dali masks worn by the main characters have made the show visually distinctive and instantly recognizable, and the character aliases are an unusual touch, with many of the city names reflecting the characters’ personalities.
While neither of the Money Heist spinoffs have achieved the same acclaim as the original series, both are worth watching, with Berlin showing a new side to the titular character. Berlin season 2 will follow his revenge-driven heist after he is blackmailed by aristocrats. If the next series is as good as the first, this proves that there is room for more from the Money Heist characters.
Release Date
2017 – 2021-00-00
Showrunner
Álex Pina
