Honestly, if you only know Itziar Ituño as the tough-as-nails Inspector Raquel Murillo (turned Lisbon) from Money Heist, you are missing out on one of the most versatile careers in modern European cinema. It's wild how one Netflix hit can redefine an actress for a global audience while she remains a cornerstone of a completely different regional film industry back home.
Itziar didn't just stumble into the Royal Mint of Spain. She’s been a powerhouse in Basque-language (Euskara) cinema and television for decades. Born in Basauri, she didn't even speak Basque fluently as a child; she learned it at 19, which basically unlocked her career. Talk about dedication. Before the red jumpsuits and Dali masks, she was already a household name in the Basque Country, largely thanks to a soap opera that ran for a staggering 21 years.
The Goenkale Era and the Basque Roots
You can't talk about Itziar Ituño movies and TV shows without mentioning Goenkale. This wasn't just a show; it was a cultural phenomenon in the Basque Country. Itziar played Nekane Beitia, a lesbian policewoman, starting in 1999. Think about that for a second. Playing a queer officer on a major regional soap in the late 90s was a massive deal. She stayed with the show until its final episode in 2015.
Working on a soap for 15 years gives you a specific kind of "acting muscle." You learn to be fast, precise, and emotionally available on command. It’s the reason why, when she finally stepped onto the set of La Casa de Papel, she felt like a seasoned pro even though much of the world was seeing her for the first time.
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The Critical Darling: Loreak (Flowers)
In 2014, Itziar starred in Loreak. If you want to see her truly act—without the distractions of bank heists or gunfights—watch this. It’s a quiet, devastatingly beautiful film about memory and loss, told through the simple act of receiving anonymous flowers.
- Recognition: It was the first Basque-language film ever nominated for a Goya Award for Best Film.
- Oscars: It was Spain's official submission for the Academy Awards.
- The Vibe: Slow-burn, emotional, and deeply human.
She plays Lourdes, a woman caught in the middle of a complex web of grief. It proved to critics that she wasn't just a TV actress; she was a cinematic force.
The Money Heist Explosion and its Aftermath
When La Casa de Papel first aired on Antena 3 in Spain, it wasn't exactly a roaring success. It was only when Netflix picked it up and rebranded it as Money Heist that things went supernova. Suddenly, Itziar was Lisbon. She went from being a local favorite to having millions of followers in a matter of days.
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But here’s the thing: Itziar has always been a bit of a rebel. She’s famously outspoken about her political views and her love for Basque culture. Even at the height of the Money Heist fame, she was still playing in her bands (yes, she’s a singer too—check out INGOT) and taking roles in smaller, independent films that meant something to her.
Intimacy (Intimidad): A Masterclass in Modern Drama
After the heist ended, Itziar took a lead role in the 2022 Netflix series Intimacy. This show is vital. It deals with the leaking of a sex tape of a rising politician (played by Itziar) and the subsequent fallout. It’s a raw, uncomfortable look at privacy, victim-blaming, and the double standards women face in power.
If Money Heist was about the thrills, Intimacy was about the grit. Her performance here is arguably her best work to date. It's controlled, pained, and incredibly brave. It really highlights how she chooses projects that have something to say about society.
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What’s New: From 2024 to 2026
The momentum hasn't stopped. If you're looking for recent Itziar Ituño movies and TV shows, 2024 and 2025 have been particularly busy. She reprised her role as Raquel Murillo in the Berlin spin-off, which was a fun bit of nostalgia for fans, but she’s also been pushing into new territory.
Recently, she’s been involved in The Crystal Cuckoo (El Cuco de Cristal), a Netflix thriller that wrapped filming in early 2025. It’s based on the novel by Javier Castillo. She’s playing alongside Álex García in a story about a heart transplant patient who starts feeling the "memories" of her donor. It’s got that dark, psychological edge that she plays so well.
Notable Filmography Highlights (The Non-Heist Edition)
- Irati (2022): A Basque-language epic fantasy. She plays Mari, a goddess figure. It’s visually stunning and feels like a dark, folklore-driven Lord of the Rings.
- In the Company of Women (2023): A period drama about the fight for abortion rights in 1970s Spain.
- All the Moons (2020): A beautiful, gothic vampire tale that is more about the curse of immortality than the horror of blood-drinking.
- Twin Murders: The Silence of the White City (2019): A solid crime thriller where she plays Dr. Guevara.
The Most Overlooked Fact About Her Career
People often forget that Itziar is a trained sociologist. She graduated from the University of the Basque Country. You can see that sociological lens in the roles she picks. She’s rarely just "the wife" or "the girlfriend." She plays characters within a social context—policewomen, politicians, activists, and mothers struggling with systemic issues.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Binge-Watch
If you want to truly appreciate the range of Itziar Ituño, don't just re-watch Money Heist. Here is how to actually dive into her filmography:
- Watch "Loreak" first. It will reset your expectations of her as an actress.
- Move to "Intimacy" (Intimidad) on Netflix. It’s the best bridge between her "policewoman" roles and her deeper dramatic work.
- Find "Irati" if you can. It shows her in a mythological, larger-than-life setting that is totally different from her gritty urban roles.
- Check out her music. Search for the band INGOT on YouTube. Seeing her front a rock band while singing in Basque is a trip if you only know her as a buttoned-up inspector.
Itziar Ituño is a rare example of an actor who reached the absolute peak of global commercial success and then immediately went back to her roots to tell stories that matter to her community. She’s a "working actress" in the truest sense—someone who values the craft and the message over the red carpet. Keep an eye on The Crystal Cuckoo as it hits streaming platforms in 2026; it’s likely to be her next big international hit.