When Money Heist first aired in Spain in 2017, it didn’t look like a show that would change television. It ran for two seasons on a local channel, pulled modest ratings, and ended. Then Netflix picked it up, re-cut the episodes, and dropped it worldwide. Almost overnight, the red jumpsuit and Salvador Dalí mask became symbols recognized everywhere from Madrid to Mumbai.
The series isn’t just about stealing money. It’s about control, identity, and surviving a system designed to crush you. The Professor doesn’t rob banks the usual way. He turns a heist into a political statement, a love story, and a chess match played on live television.
Real Events That Shaped the Story
While the plot is fiction, the writers pulled details from real robberies and resistance movements.
Banco Río Heist, Argentina, 2006
A group took 23 hostages, negotiated with police, then vanished through a tunnel with millions in cash. No one was hurt. The calm, methodical approach is pure Professor.
Banco Central Heist, Brazil, 2005
Thieves dug a tunnel into a vault and walked away with more than 70 million dollars. The patience and preparation echo the Royal Mint plan.
Anti-Fascist Symbolism
The Dalí mask and Bella Ciao come from European protest culture. The song was an anthem for Italian partisans during World War II. The mask connects the heist to artistic rebellion.
The Royal Mint Heist – Parts 1 & 2
Eight thieves, each named after a city: Tokyo, Berlin, Nairobi, Rio, Denver, Helsinki, Oslo, and later Stockholm. Their mission: break into the Royal Mint of Spain and print 2.4 billion euros without harming hostages. They hold the building for 11 days, under constant pressure from police and the media.
Inside, personal dynamics complicate everything. Denver falls in love with hostage Mónica Gaztambide. Berlin’s authoritarian leadership clashes with Tokyo’s impulsiveness. Oslo suffers a fatal injury. Outside, the Professor seduces Inspector Raquel Murillo—not as a distraction, but because they’re genuinely drawn to each other.
By the end, Berlin sacrifices himself to buy time for the others. Most escape with the money. The Professor and Raquel meet again, this time as lovers.
The Bank of Spain Heist – Parts 3 & 4
Two years later, Rio is captured and tortured by authorities. The Professor calls the team back together. The plan is bigger and riskier: enter the Bank of Spain, steal gold, and expose government corruption.
New players join: Palermo, Bogotá, Marseille. Inside, they face a new enemy—Gandía, head of bank security—who turns the job into a war zone. Nairobi is critically wounded. Palermo loses control of the crew. Outside, Inspector Alicia Sierra leads the charge against them with ruthless precision.
Tensions boil over when Gandía kills Nairobi. It’s a moment that shifts the crew’s focus from gold to vengeance.
The Endgame – Part 5
Military forces close in. Tokyo dies in an explosion, taking Gandía with her. The Professor is cornered by Sierra, who then changes sides after being betrayed by her own people. The crew pulls off a fake gold swap, tricking authorities into thinking they recovered the treasure.
In reality, the gold leaves Spain in pieces, melted into brass-like pellets, smuggled out, and later reformed. The robbers fake their deaths and vanish.
Key Characters
The Professor – Mastermind, strategist, idealist. Calm under pressure, but capable of ruthless choices.
Tokyo – Narrator, risk-taker, and emotional core of the crew. Dies on her own terms.
Berlin – Charismatic, manipulative, fatalistic. Dies in the first heist but shapes the second through flashbacks.
Nairobi – Heart of the team. Positive, driven, maternal figure. Murdered in the Bank of Spain.
Rio – Young hacker whose capture sparks the second heist.
Denver – Loyal, emotional, with a laugh that’s impossible to ignore.
Stockholm – From hostage to accomplice, torn between morality and survival.
Palermo – Architect of the gold heist. Brilliant but volatile.
Helsinki – Loyal and steady, survives both heists.
Facts from Behind the Camera
- The original Spanish version had fewer, longer episodes. Netflix re-edited them into shorter ones.
- The show was canceled after its first run in Spain. Global success happened only after Netflix bought it.
- Bella Ciao was a late addition during production, not in the original script.
- Red jumpsuits and masks have appeared in protests from France to Lebanon.
Why the Series Hit So Hard
The robberies are thrilling, but that’s not the real hook. The heart of the story is loyalty, rebellion, and the cost of freedom. Each character has clear motives. Each loss feels personal. Viewers see themselves in these flawed, desperate people.
It’s also visually iconic. The red suit. The mask. The anthem. They stick in your mind long after you’ve finished watching.
FAQ – Money Heist
1. Is Money Heist based on a true story?
No, the plot is fictional. However, it takes inspiration from real-life heists like the 2006 Banco Río robbery in Argentina and incorporates historical protest symbols such as the song Bella Ciao.
2. Why do the robbers wear Dalí masks?
The Salvador Dalí mask represents rebellion against authority and connects the heist to artistic and political resistance.
3. How many seasons does Money Heist have?
The series has five parts (two main heists), released between 2017 and 2021.
4. What language is Money Heist originally in?
It’s originally in Spanish, titled La Casa de Papel. Netflix offers dubbed and subtitled versions in many languages.
5. Who dies in Money Heist?
Key deaths include Berlin, Nairobi, and Tokyo, each playing a major role in the crew’s fate.
6. What is Bella Ciao and why is it important?
Bella Ciao is an Italian folk song tied to anti-fascist movements. In the series, it symbolizes defiance and unity.
7. Is there a Money Heist spin-off?
Yes. Netflix released Berlin, a prequel series focusing on the character Berlin’s earlier life and heists.
