Official Trailer
Rating: 8/10 | Genre: Drama, Crime | Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 8 | Status: Ended
Starring: Pedro Alonso, Michelle Jenner, Tristán Ulloa, Begoña Vargas, Julio Peña
I went into “Berlin and the Lady with an Ermine” expecting a lot. Pedro Alonso’s Berlin is one of those characters that just works, even when the show around him is messy. And honestly? This spinoff delivered way more than I thought it would. It’s not perfect, but it’s a solid eight episodes that actually made me care about another heist, which I didn’t think was possible after everything we’ve already seen in Money Heist.
The premise is simple enough. Berlin’s back and hungry for one more job. This time it’s Seville, a fancy duke, and a da Vinci painting called “Lady with an Ermine.” On paper, that sounds like it could go either way. Either it’s a cool standalone story or it’s just rehashing the same heist formula we’ve seen a hundred times. Turns out it’s mostly the former, at least for the first season.
Season 1
So they give us eight episodes to pull off this theft, and the show actually uses that space well. The first episode, “The Collection,” sets up the con nicely. Berlin and Damián are out looking for rich people to rob, and they land on this duke who’s exactly the kind of arrogant, greedy guy who deserves what’s coming to him. It’s a good hook.
The next few episodes bring in the crew and start laying out the plan. Michelle Jenner and Tristán Ulloa are solid in their roles. Begoña Vargas shows up as someone with her own agenda, which keeps things from feeling too predictable. By episode three, “Stendhal Syndrome,” things are moving at a good pace. Berlin’s handling the leadership while still being that charming psychopath we know him to be.
Where the season works best is when it focuses on the characters actually trying to outsmart each other. There’s this cat and mouse thing happening between Berlin and the duke that’s entertaining. Alonso plays Berlin with this perfect mix of confidence and barely hidden danger. You never forget that this guy is a criminal mastermind, not just a cool heist guy.
The middle episodes drag a tiny bit though. “An Ode to Life” has some good moments with Candela, but there’s a chunk in there where it feels like the show is just spinning its wheels. And keeping Roi and Cameron on the sidelines for half the season felt like a missed opportunity. They’re good characters and they could’ve added more to the dynamic.
The back half picks up again. The heist itself is clever without being ridiculous, which honestly is harder to pull off than it sounds. Julio Peña’s character work is underrated here too. Everyone’s got something to do and reasons to be there beyond just “Berlin said so.”
I won’t spoil the ending, but it lands better than I expected. It feels like a real conclusion to the story instead of just setting up another season. Given that this is only eight episodes and it’s already wrapped up, they made the right call with how to end it.
The biggest complaint I have is that some of the side plots feel thin. We get hints at drama and personal stakes for some of the crew, but they don’t always flesh out enough to make you feel real stakes. And there are a couple episodes where the pacing just doesn’t quite hit. It’s still good TV, but it could’ve been great.
If you liked the Money Heist universe and you’ve got eight hours to kill, this is worth watching. Alonso carries it hard, and the heist itself is fun enough that you’ll want to see how it plays out. Just don’t expect it to reinvent the wheel. It’s a solid spinoff that knows what it is and does it well.
Have you watched it yet, or are you thinking about starting it?
Episode Guide
Limited Series (8 Episodes)
Episode 1: The Collection (6.3/10)
When Berlin and Damián go fishing for a new multi-millionaire target, they end up on a mission in Seville that brings the whole gang back together.
Episode 2: An Ode to Life (7/10)
High off the night's exploits with Candela, Berlin and the gang embark on a high-risk reconnaissance mission of the duke's sprawling country estate.
Episode 3: Stendhal Syndrome (7.3/10)
While Roi and Cameron reluctantly stay behind, the events of the day take Berlin and the others back to the countryside with a brand new set of plans.
Episode 4: Oranges from China (6/10)
As the heist takes a new direction, Keila sets a daring strategy in motion. At a clandestine party, the duchess approaches Berlin and enrages Candela.
Episode 5: Demolition Boys (4/10)
As Damián hunts down lost luggage, Berlin mixes business with pleasure. At the duke's mansion, Keila and Bruce continue the team's search for the vault.
Episode 6: Pomelo Loves Mandarin (5.5/10)
The duke's scrutiny pushes Berlin to devise a decoy heist plan. At a candlelit dinner, Bruce opens up and the duchess communicates covertly with Damián.
Episode 7: Night of the Double Dodge (5.5/10)
Armed with new information, Damián attempts to solve the burning issue of the fireball. As Berlin falls deeper for Candela, his past catches up with him.
Episode 8: Happiness Belongs to He Who Loves (7.5/10)
A night out in Peñíscola inspires Berlin to radically change his plans. Will he and the gang manage to pull off the greatest heist in history?
Where to Watch
Stream on: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads