User:Sgeureka/List of Money Heist characters

Money Heist (La casa de papel, ) is a Spanish television heist crime drama series. Created by Álex Pina, the series was initially intended as a limited series to be told in two parts.

Casting took place late in 2016, spanning more than two months. The characters were not fully fleshed out at the beginning of this process, and took shape based on the actors' performance. Casting directors Eva Leira and Yolanda Serrano were looking for actors with the ability to play empathetic robbers with believable love and family connections. Antena 3 announced the ensemble cast in March 2017 and released audition excerpts of most cast actors in the series' aftershow Tercer Grado and on their website.

The Professor
The Professor (El Profesor), played by Álvaro Morte, is the mastermind of the heist who assembled the group, and Berlin's brother. The Professor introduces himself as "Salva" to Raquel at the beginning of part 1, although it is eventually revealed that his real name is Salvador Martín. The ieda of the first heist is to avenge his father.

Characterization
Elena Pita of El Mundo described the character as "enigmatic". Morte said the character was a "workaholic". Morte linked the Professor to his role of Óscar in El embarcadero, both of whom "had to be demonized, and for this I had to generate empathy in abundance. And that causes an identification: you feel the close character and you find similarities with known beings. But if the viewer does not empathize with the Professor or Oscar, the series does not work."

Development
Early in development, the professor was intended to be the narrator of the series. Writer Javier Gómez Santander compared the writing process to the Professor's way of thinking, "going around, writing down options, consulting engineers whom you cannot tell why you ask them that", but noted that fiction allowed the police to be written dumber when necessary.

The Professor was designed as a charismatic yet shy villain who could convince the robbers to follow him and make the audience sympathetic to the robbers' resistance against the powerful banks. However, developing the Professor's role proved difficult, as the character did not follow archetypal conventions and the producers were uncertain about his degree of brilliance. While the producers found his Salva personality early on, they were originally looking for a 50-year-old Harvard professor type with the looks of Spanish actor José Coronado. The role was proposed to Javier Gutiérrez, but he was already committed to starring in the film Campones.

Meanwhile, the casting directors advocated for Álvaro Morte, whom they knew from their collaboration on the long-running Spanish soap opera El secreto de Puente Viejo, even though his prime time television experience was limited at that point. Going though the full casting process and approaching the role through external analysis rather than personal experience, Morte described the professor as "a tremendous box of surprises" that "end up shaping this character because he never ceases to generate uncertainty", making it unclear for the audience if the character is good or bad. The producers also found that his appearance of a primary school teacher gave the character more credibility. The Professor's glasses were initially red and more prominent, but in the end the producers preferred a more discreet option and in a darker tone. Morte, who does not wear glasses in real life, developed a tic of pushing back his glasses during casting; this was left in the show for the originality of the performance. The idea of ​​origami was proposed by Morte.

Creator Álex Pina saw Raquel's story as a formerly abused wife falling in love with the Professor "as very powerful, very romantic"; that they come from two opposite sides was "intended to enhance the genre" and something that the producers "wanted to exploit and it has worked.” Le Monde said, "The game between Professor and Raquel, the inspector in charge of the negotiations, is brilliant. A step of two with fluidity and anticipation. To ignore one's enemy is to condemn oneself to defeat. It therefore requires to enter into his intimacy." Morte said the Professor would not necessarily prioritize love over other risks in part 3, saying that if "he didn't have that other dark part, it wouldn't work either. The Professor's trick that hooks us so much is that we never know what goes through his mind, what he is thinking. I try to give that ambiguity." The character's anger about Berlin's death spawned the character's motivation for part 3, and was an idea Morte gave the producers. In September 2019, Morte considered the Professor a "very interesting character" who had story left to tell. Morte said about part 4, "the teacher makes a descent into hell."


 * Great Morte interview about "The Secret of Old Bridge" and LCDP
 * The actors had input in the development of characters and occasionally knew more about them than the scriptwriters.

Reception
The Professor is one of the fan favorites of the series. For the role as the Professor, Morte was nominated for the Premios de la Unión de Actores (es) in 2018 in the category "Best television actor", won the 21th Premios IRIS (es) in 2019 for "Best actor", and is nominated for the Premios Feroz in 2020 for "Best leading actor of a series".

Tokyo
Tokyo (Tokio), played by Úrsula Corberó, is the narrator and a runaway robber until scouted by the Professor to participate in his plan. The police find out her real name as Silene Oliveira early in part 1, along with Rio's real name.

The producers found the protagonist and narrator, Tokyo, among the hardest characters to develop, as they were originally looking for an older actress to play the character who had nothing to lose before meeting the Professor. Úrsula Corberó eventually landed the role for bringing a playful energy to the table; her voice was heavily factored in during casting, as she was the first voice the audience hears in the show. Corberó described Tokyo at the beginning of the show as "a girl who really lacks self-esteem, has been very lonely, has had a very bad time, [and] has not had a father figure at home", resulting in a vulnerability that the character doesn't know how to express. Actor Alvaro Morte (the Professor) regarded Tokyo as one of the Professor's favourite gang members, since both characters confide in and confront each other like best friends despite being of opposite sexes.

Sandra Faginas of Spanish newspaper La Razón wrote a hymn of praise on the character, saying Tokyo was "a wonderful cocktail of passion and reason" that was "born splendidly in script". She regarded Tokyo is a "free soul touching every companion and approaching them in different ways: Rio with passionate tenderness, the Professor with cold respect, Nairobi with joy and attunement, and Berlin with challenging discipline." John Doyle of The Globe and Mail saw Corbero "as a strong female lead, her character doesn't conform to much that you'd see in an equivalent British or American crime drama." Meanwhile, Alfonso Rivadeneyra García of Peruvian newspaper El Comercio disliked the hypersexualization of Tokyo in part 3 as a fan service. Keyvan Azh of German Focus regarded Tokyo as a one-dimensional protagonist relying on the "cheap stylistic device" of tell, don't show. For the role of Tokyo, Corberó was nominated for the Premios Feroz in 2017 in the category "Best leading actress of a series", and won the Premios IRIS (es) in 2018 for Best actress.

Berlin
Berlin (Berlín), played by Pedro Alonso, is a former jewel thief, the Professor's brother, and the Professor's second-in-command in parts 1 and 2. The police find out that his real name is Andrés de Fonollosa and that he is a terminally ill during part 1. Meanwhile, Berlin starts a coercive relationship with Ariadna, a hostage who works in the Mint. In the final minutes of part 2, Berlin decides to sacrifice himself so that the gang can escape, and dies under police fire. Despite his death, Berlin appears in a main role in part 3 through flashbacks to several years earlier, showing his plannings of the Bank of Spain heist and being in love with a woman named Tatiana.

Characterisation
After the premiere, La Voz de Galicia characterised Berlin as a "cold, hypnotic, sophisticated and disturbing character, an inveterate macho with serious empathy problems, a white-collar thief who despises his colleagues and considers them inferior." Joana Oliveira of El País described Berlin as "obnoxious", "a snob, a misogynist and a bit sadistic", which La Vanguardia contrasted with the character's portrayal in the flashbacks in part 3, where the character appeared "much more in love and cuddly". Actor Pedro Alonso described Berlin as "cruel, heroic and funny at the same time", and saw high observation skills and an unusual understanding of his surroundings in Berlin, resulting in unconventional and unpredictable character behaviour. Although capable of empathy, Berlin was "deeply human and deeply ardent" and unleashed chaos in his interactions with others, according to Alonso, who attributed Berlin's popularity to the character's desire to live and "enjoy everything at the moment intensely", living "life as a fantastic dream [...] with great honesty, without abiding by conventions and morals".

Development
Alonso's portrayal of the character was inspired by a chance encounter Alonso had the day before receiving his audition script, with "an intelligent person" who was "provocative or even manipulative" to him. Writer Esther Lobato Martinez said Berlin was designed like all the characters, "with shades of light and dark applied to each so they are both relatable and immoral" as the story unfolds, so that Berlin could be perceived as likeable despite being oppressive to the hostages early on. Similarities between Berlin and Najwa Nimri's character Zulema in Pina's TV series Locked Up were unintentional. The family connections between the Professor and Berlin were not in the original script, but were built into the characters' backstory at the end of part 1 after Morte and Alonso had repeatedly proposed to do so. The writers decided to bring Berlin back for part 3, as they felt the character had gone through a sufficient redemption arc and was popular with the audience. According to writer Javier Gómez Santander, Berlin might not have been killed off at the end of part 2 if the writers had known of the series' renewal.

Reception
Despite or even because of his questionable personality, Berlin was noted as a fan favorite by the producers and critics alike. Netflix's announcement that Berlin would be in part 3 raised media speculation about his role in part 3. For the role of Berlin, Alonso won the Premios de la Unión de Actores (es) in 2018 in the category "Best supporting television actor".

Nairobi
Nairobi, played by Alba Flores, is an expert in forgery in charge of printing the money for the group. The closing titles of part 2 reveal the character's real name as Ágata Jiménez.

Alba Flores had previously starred in Álex Pina's series Locked Up. She was asked to play Nairobi without audition when Pina realized late in the conception phase that the show needed another female gang member.

In her review for part 3, Patricia Puentes of CNet regarded Nairobi and Denver as "still two of the most consistently funny thieves" because of their "most creative words or expressions", and that it was "hard not to have some weakness for them." For the role of Nairobi, Flores was nominated for a Premios Feroz in 2017 in the category "Best supporting actress in a series", was nominated for a Premios de la Unión de Actores (es) in 2018 for "Best supporting television actress", won the Premios IRIS (es) in 2019 for "Best actress", and is nominated for the Premios Feroz in 2020 for "Best supporting actress in a series".

Rio
Rio (Río), played by Miguel Herrán, is a young hacker and Tokyo's boyfriend. The police find out the character's real name as Aníbal Cortés at the beginning of part 1.

Herrán was cast as Rio because he was the most believable in falling in love with Tokyo "like a lamb from minute one". Herrán, whose only acting experiences were with films at that point, said "I take many lessons. For me it has also meant not just a set-up, but a challenge."

Denver
Denver, played by Jaime Lorente, is Moscow's son who joins him in the heist. The official website lists Denver's name as Daniel Ramos, but in the show he has called himself Ricardo.

Lorente and Paco Tous were cast as Moscow and Denver because they were the most believable as father and son. Lorente developed Denver's hallmark laughter during the casting process.

In her review for part 3, Patricia Puentes of CNet regarded Denver and Nairobi as "still two of the most consistently funny thieves" because of their "most creative words or expressions", and that it was "hard not to have some weakness for them." Lorente was nominated for the Premios de la Unión de Actores (es) in 2018 in the category "Best TV cast actor".

Moscow
Moscow (Moscú), played by Paco Tous (main parts 1–2, featured part 3), is a former miner turned criminal and Denver's father. The closing titles of part 2 reveal the character's real name as Agustín Ramos dos Hermanas.

Paco Tous had previously starred in the Álex Pina's 2010 TV series Los hombres de Paco. Paco Tous and Jaime Lorente were cast as Moscow and Denver because they were the most believable as father and son. For the role of Moscow, Tous was nominated for a Premios Feroz in 2017 in the category "Best supporting actor in a series".

Helsinki
Helsinki, played by Serbian actor Darko Perić, is a veteran Serbian soldier and Oslo's cousin. The closing titles of part 2 reveal the character's real name as Yashin Dasáyev.

Peric was cast as Helsinki because of "his frightening laugh and his physique" that was needed to intimidate victims.

Palermo
Palermo, played by Argentine actor Rodrigo de la Serna, an old friend of Berlin's who planned the robbery of the Bank of Spain with him and assumes his place as commanding officer. The character's first name is Martín, for which de la Serna saw a possible connection to the Argentine football legend Martín Palermo. In her review of the first two episodes of part 3, Natalia Marcos of El País regarded Palerma as "a kind of new Berlin in terms of charisma and attitude". Guillermo Courau of La Nación considered Palermo as a "misogynist and abrupt psychopath" and "the most interesting of the new additions" in part 3, since unlike Berlin, "Palermo has no codes, no limits, he is a bomb always about to explode."

Bogotá
Bogotá, played by Armenian-Spanish actor Hovik Keuchkerian (part 3), is an expert in metallurgy who joins the robbery of the Bank of Spain.

Recurring characters

 * Oslo, played by Roberto Garcia Ruiz (recurring parts 1–3): a veteran Serbian soldier and Helsinki's cousin. The final closing credits reveal Oslo's mug shot with the name Dimitri Mostovói, while his coffin shows the name Radko Dragic.
 * Marseille (Marsella), played by Croatian actor Luka Peros (recurring part 3): a member of the gang who joins the robbery of the Bank of Spain.

Raquel Murillo
Raquel Murillo, played by Itziar Ituño, is an inspector of the National Police Corps who is put in charge of the case in parts 1 and 2. She joins the group in part 3 under the code-name Lisbon (Lisboa).

Ituño described Murillo as a "strong and powerful woman in a world of men, but also sensitive in her private life". She took inspiration from The Silence of the Lambs character Clarice Starling, an FBI student with a messy family life who develops sympathies for a criminal. Creator Álex Pina saw Raquel's story as a formerly abused wife falling in love with the Professor "as very powerful, very romantic"; that they come from two opposite sides was "intended to enhance the genre" and something that the producers "wanted to exploit and it has worked.”

Alicia Sierra
Alicia Sierra, played by Najwa Nimri (main part 3), is a pregnant inspector of the National Police Corps put in charge of the case after Raquel's departure from the force.

Najwa Nimri had previously starred in Álex Pina's TV series Locked Up. In her review of the first two episodes of part 3, Natalia Marcos of El País stated that Nimri fitted in well with the show in the actress' interpretation of the "dumb and very embarrassing police".

Recurring characters

 * Ángel Rubio, played by Fernando Soto (parts 1–3): a deputy inspector and Raquel's second-in-command in parts 1 and 2. He also works on the heist case in part 3.
 * Colonel Prieto, played by Juan Fernández (parts 1–3): a member of the Spanish Intelligence who oversees Raquel's work on the case.
 * Suárez, played by Mario de la Rosa (parts 1–3): the chief of the Grupo Especial de Operaciones.
 * Colonel Luis Tamayo, played by Fernando Cayo (part 3): a member of the Spanish Intelligence who oversees Alicia's work on the case.

Mónica Gaztambide
Mónica Gaztambide, played by Esther Acebo, is the secretary and mistress of the Director of the Royal Mint of Spain, Arturo Román, carrying his child out of wedlock. She is a hostage during the assault on the Mint in parts 1 and 2, when she falls in love with Denver. At the end of part 2, she decides to remain with the gang and successfully escapes with Denver. At the beginning of part 3, Mónica has become a mother to a boy named "Cincinnati", and they and Denver live in Java, Indonesia. Mónica becomes an accomplice to the group under the code-name Stockholm (Estocolmo) for part 3's Bank of Spain robbery.

Acebo argued that Mónica's decision to join the gang was a sign of courage to finally feel "comfortable and free", and can be interpreted as feminist. Mónica's fight with Denver early in part 3 about women being just as capable as men to be robbers and a good parent, was cited as an example how the female characters become increasingly aware of gender-related issues. Acebo was nominated for the Premios de la Unión de Actores (es) in 2018 in the category "Best stand-out actress".

Arturo Román
Arturo Román, played by Enrique Arce, is the Director of the Royal Mint of Spain and a hostage in parts 1 and 2, during which he is a major driving force of the hostages' opposition against their captors. Arturo receives the nickname "Arturito" (litte Arturo) from Denver in the series' first episode, a name that sticks for the remainder of the series. Unhappy with his life after the assault on the Mint and longing to re-establish a relationship with his former mistress Mónica, Arturo takes measures to become a hostage again during the Bank of Spain heist in part 3.

As he was focused on his acting career in the US, Arce was originally not interested in auditioning for the role of Arturo, whom he considered "a disgusting guy". Arce decided otherwise after seeing a lottery advertisement as a sign and because Arturo's arc was intended to be short-lived, with the character supposed to die after the sixth episode. Brazilian magazine Veja described the character as "loved by some and hated by others (and probably much more hated)", and Marco Almodóvar of El Economista found Arturo "a bit unbearable" at first and later a fan favorite, so that the creators opted to have part 3 open with Arturo as a hero. Arce attributed this change in audience perception to the comic relief the character provides, despite contributing little to the story. Guillermo Courau of La Nación named Arturo in part 3 a prime example for the part's unnecessary substories that break the rhythm, and assumed that the character was only brought over to please fans.

Recurring characters

 * Alison Parker, played by María Pedraza (parts 1–2): a student and daughter of the British ambassador to Spain.
 * Mercedes Colmenar, played by Anna Gras (parts 1–2): Alison's teacher.
 * Pablo Ruiz, played by Fran Morcillo (parts 1): Alison's schoolmate.
 * Ariadna Cascales, played by Clara Alvarado (parts 1–2): one of the hostages who works in the Mint.
 * The Governor, played by Pep Munné (part 3): the Governor of the Bank of Spain.
 * Amanda, played by Olalla Hernández (part 3): the secretary of the Governor of the Bank of Spain.
 * Miguel Fernández, played by Carlos Suárez (part 3): a computer scientist who works in the Bank of Spain.

Other characters

 * Mariví Fuentes, played by Kiti Mánver (main parts 1–2; featured part 3): Raquel's mother.
 * Alberto Vicuña, played by Miquel García Borda (recurring parts 1–2): Raquel's ex-husband and a forensic examiner.
 * Paula Vicuña Murillo, played by Naia Guz (recurring parts 1–2; featured part 3): Raquel and Alberto's daughter.