How are Berlin and The Professor Related to Each Other in Money Heist?

The La Casa de Papel spin-off series, Berlin, based on the titular character, was released on Netflix last week and it refreshed our memories of all our Money Heist theories and analyses.

Berlin first appeared in the popular Spanish crime drama series Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) and played an important role in seasons 1 and 2. Although he died at the end of season 2, he appears in seasons 3 and 4 through flashbacks.

Throughout Money Heist, there are a number of hints and clear references about the Professor’s special relationship with Berlin. The Professor knew him much before the rest of the gang. The two were related, as is revealed over the course of the series.

1. Are Berlin and Professor Siblings in Money Heist?

Andrés de Fonollosa (aka Berlin) is the elder half-sibling of Sergio Marquina (The Professor) in Netflix’s Money Heist (La Casa de Papel). They share the same father (The Engineer) but have different mothers.

It is not clear why the characters have different surnames, but it could be because they use their mother’s names.

The two brothers planned the heist of the Royal Mint of Spain together. In the first two seasons, The Professor controls the gang from outside while Berlin remains second-in-command and the leader inside the mint.

At the end of season 2, Berlin sacrifices his life to save the rest of the gang. We also find out that he was terminally ill and did not have much time left to live. Before his death, he bids goodbye to The Professor and calls him “little brother.” 

However, that’s not all we see of Berlin! He also plays an important role in seasons 3 and 4 through flashbacks. The flashbacks reveal that Berlin and The Professor have been working on the heist of the Royal Bank of Spain for a long time.

2. Did Berlin plan the heist of the Royal Bank of Spain?

Berlin originally planned the heist of the Royal Bank of Spain. He shared his ideas with his brother, The Professor. The two further developed the idea, although most of it was devised by Berlin.

After Berlin’s death, The Professor uses his older brother’s plan to rescue Rio, one of the gang members who was caught by the police, and to deliver another anti-establishment message to the government.

The flashbacks also feature Palermo, one of the most prominent characters of seasons 3, 4, and 5. Palermo has also been a part of the plan since the beginning and helped devise the heist. He serves as the leader of the gang inside the Royal Bank.

3. What is the spin-off ‘Berlin’ about?

Berlin is a spin-off series based on the titular character, set before the events of Money Heist. It focuses on a heist in Paris orchestrated by Berlin and his gang.

The events of the series take place before Berlin is diagnosed with Helmer’s Myopathy. In the show’s timeline, he works as a robber after having multiple successful heists. In the series, he wants to steal $44 million in jewels with the help of one of his trusted gangs.

The show does not feature any of the characters from Money Heist as of now, including The Professor.

4. About Money Heist

Money Heist (Spanish: La casa de papel, meaning “The House of Paper”) is a Spanish heist crime drama television series created by Álex Pina.

The series traces two long-prepared heists led by the Professor (Álvaro Morte), one on the Royal Mint of Spain, and one on the Bank of Spain. The narrative is told in a real-time-like fashion and relies on flashbacks, time-jumps, hidden character motivations, and an unreliable narrator for complexity.

The show focuses on the meticulous plans and the specific contingencies of the Professor who has prepared his group of robbers dressed in red jumpsuits and Dali masks.