He was infamous as one of the most despicable thieves in Turkey. The Money Robbery figure, a true psychopath, carried a backstory of a cultured, hedonistic man who fell ill and died amid a quarantine in La Casa de la Moneda. Yet Álex Pina and Esther Martínez Lobato recognized his potential. They did not abandon him, and in the later Netflix seasons, they revived him through flashbacks that capture a time when his life still felt joyful. A white collar thief who loves the good life and is addicted to seduction, he remains a defining presence in the series.
That is how Berlin is reimagined in the self titled prequel premiering this Friday, the 29th. The show keeps only a few core figures from the original story: Lisboa, portrayed by Itziar Ituño, and Inspector Sierra, played by Najwa Nimri, who appear briefly. The tone shifts toward romantic comedy and lighter, non violent capers, moving away from the brutal, vindictive origins that made him a worldwide phenomenon.
In this version, Berlin resembles a modern illusionist—like a David Copperfield of theft and romance—unfolding in the elegant streets of Paris. The city becomes a playground of luxury, pleasure, and art. A very young crew drives the energy, with one older ally, Damián, who brings a veteran sensibility to their bold schemes and their approach to love. The result is a story that younger viewers will gravitate toward while preserving the charisma that fans expect from the Berlin mythos.
So who are the characters and actors bringing Berlin to life
Berlin leads the ensemble. For him, theft and romantic conquest are art forms that he pursues with fierce devotion. His ambitions include a planned jewel heist and a tantalizing coincidence that puts the wife of the very person guarding those jewels in his orbit.
Pedro Alonso previously appeared in a range of Spanish television projects on TVG, including titles such as Maridos e Mulleres and Padre Casares. His breakout role as a clever robber in Money Robbery made him a well known face. Viewers also know him from Antena 3s Great Hotel, Under Suspicion, Embassy and Betrayal among other works.
He is the other veteran in the group and acts as a steadying voice amid Berlin’s eccentricities. The pair share a strong bond, and their friendship will be tested as romantic entanglements threaten the original plan. Their choices could alter the course of the heist and the safety of the group.
Tristan Ulloa, a longtime collaborator with Pedro Alonso, is a familiar face to the Spanish audience. His career spans cinema, theater, and acclaimed TV series such as Gran Reserva and The Embassy, with appearances in Narcos, Fariña, Cathedral of the Sea and The Girl in the Snow, among others. Audiences will recognize him as a natural partner to the Berlin ensemble, bringing gravity and warmth to the screen.
With a physique and persona that hint at a dangerous charm, the role of Tokyo in Berlin is embodied by a captivating, impulsive young woman who joins the crew with a motive yet to be unveiled. Her dynamic presence adds a spark of romance, rivalry, and risk to the heist plot.
Begoña Vargas appears as a stylish actress, model and dancer known to fans from various TV projects and films. Her characters in The Other View, Alta Mar, Boca Norte, Paraíso and Welcome to Eden showcase a versatile range and screen presence that enriches the Berlin universe.
Keila emerges as the tech specialist of the crew, a crack in digital matters, yet hampered by social anxieties. Her shyness makes it hard for her to assert herself, even as she crunches lines of code with precision and grit.
Michelle Jenner, a veteran of the Spanish screen, has built a solid career from early television work to national recognition. Her resume includes Isabel, Continent, Cathedral of the Sea, The Cook of Castamar, Heirs of the Earth and You Could Do It Too, among others, underscoring her status as a trusted performer in the Berlin universe.
Ferdandez is the Berlin student who inspires gratitude for the chance given to him by a mentor, a chance that pulls him away from a difficult past toward a path that might still circle back to crime. Only Cameron keeps him focused on the mission at hand.
Julio Pena brings acting and singing experience, having started on the Disney Channel Latin American series Bia and later appearing in Acacias 38. His lead role in the Netflix film From My Window and upcoming projects Across the Sea and Through Your Look position him as a rising talent who complements the Berlin ensemble.
Bruce is the carefree, brawny member whose talents lie in gadgets and weaponry. Beneath a flashy exterior hides a loyal heart that drives him to protect the crew and the mission, even as his bravado keeps the group on its toes.
Joel Sánchez, a Canary Island model, makes his acting debut in Berlin and contributes a fresh perspective to the cast. His entry signals new energy for fans following the continuation of the Money Heist narrative in this spin off.