Honestly, it’s hard to look at Pedro Alonso and not see a man about to plan a heist or drop a chillingly poetic monologue about love and death. Most of us met him as the terminal, sociopathic, yet weirdly charming Andrés de Fonollosa. You know him as Berlin. But if you think his career started and ended with a Dali mask, you’re missing out on some of the best Spanish-language cinema and television of the last twenty years.
He didn't just stumble into global fame. Alonso is a veteran. Before the red jumpsuits, he was a staple of Spanish screens, often playing characters that were just as complex, if not quite as explosive.
The Breakthroughs: Pedro Alonso Movies and TV Shows Before the Mint
If you want to see where the "Berlin energy" actually came from, you have to look at Gran Hotel. This show is basically the Spanish Downton Abbey, but with significantly more murder. Alonso played Diego Murquía, and let me tell you, he was the guy everyone loved to hate. He played a calculating, ambitious antagonist with such a sharp edge that it’s easy to see why the Money Heist creators thought of him for Berlin.
He was doing this for a long time in Galicia too. Shows like Padre Casares (where he played a priest!) and Rías Baixas made him a household name in his home region. It's kinda funny to imagine the world's most famous jewel thief as a humble parish priest, but that’s the range he has.
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Essential Television Roles
- Money Heist (La Casa de Papel): The big one. He was so popular that even after the writers killed him off, they had to keep him in the show through three seasons of flashbacks.
- Berlin (The Spin-off): This prequel took a lighter, more "Ocean's Eleven" tone. It’s less about the heist and more about the romance, which fits Alonso's real-life vibe—he’s a writer and a painter, very much into the "art of living."
- Diablo Guardián: He went over to Mexico for this Amazon Prime series. He played Gallego, and it’s a gritty, dark look at the underworld.
- Traición: A family drama where he plays Roberto Fuentes. It’s all about secrets and backstabbing within a wealthy law firm.
Beyond the Small Screen: Notable Film Work
A lot of people skip Pedro Alonso movies and TV shows on the film side, which is a mistake. He’s done some incredibly moody, atmospheric work that doesn't get enough credit on international streaming charts.
Take The Silence of the Marsh (El silencio del pantano), for example. In this 2019 thriller, he plays "Q," a crime novelist who discovers that the political corruption he writes about is very, very real. It’s a quiet, intense performance. He barely speaks in some scenes, using that intense gaze to do all the heavy lifting.
Then there’s Awareness (2023), where he plays Vicente. It’s a sci-fi flick about a teenager with the power to create visual illusions. Alonso plays the father figure/mentor, and while the movie is a bit of a departure from his usual crime dramas, he brings a groundedness to the high-concept plot.
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Why He Keeps Getting Cast as the Villain
There’s something about his face. It’s elegant but sharp. He has this way of smiling that feels like a threat and a compliment at the same time. Producers know that if you need someone who is morally ambiguous but impossible to look away from, Alonso is the guy.
What’s Next: Berlin Season 2 and Beyond
The hype isn’t slowing down. Netflix has officially confirmed that Berlin Season 2 (now titled Berlin and the Lady with an Ermine) is coming. Mark your calendars for May 15, 2026. This time, the gang is heading to Seville. They aren't just after money; they're targeting a famous painting.
We’re also seeing him move into more experimental territory. He’s been vocal about his interest in directing and his work as a painter (he often goes by the name Pedro Alonso O'choro when he’s in artist mode).
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How to Watch the Best of Pedro Alonso
If you're looking to binge his work, here is the most efficient path to seeing his best performances:
- The Intro: Money Heist Seasons 1 & 2. You get the rawest version of Berlin here.
- The Deep Dive: The Silence of the Marsh. It’s on Netflix in most regions. Watch it late at night; the atmosphere is everything.
- The Period Piece: Gran Hotel. If you can find it on VOD or local streaming services (like Pantaya or occasionally Netflix), do it. It’s 1900s drama at its peak.
- The New Era: Berlin (Season 1). It’s basically a rom-com disguised as a heist show.
Don't just stick to the dubbed versions. If you really want to appreciate why he’s one of Spain’s top actors, watch him in the original Spanish. The way he uses his voice—the pauses, the whispers—is half the performance.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan of his "gentleman thief" persona, check out his book Libro de Filipo. It’s a semi-autobiographical, philosophical journey that explains a lot about his approach to life and acting. It gives you a much better window into his mind than any red-carpet interview ever could.