Pedro Alonso became an international sensation as Berlin in Money Heist, creating one of the show’s most fascinating and unpredictable characters. Despite Berlin’s disturbing personality, criminal instincts and talent for manipulation, the character won over audiences with his intelligence, charisma and philosophical speeches.
For Alonso, bringing Berlin to life was about more than playing a ruthless criminal. The Spanish actor found an unexpected connection between the character and an experience that had changed his own outlook on life.
In an interview, Alonso revealed how a trip to Mexico and his encounter with the country’s shamanic traditions influenced his interpretation of Berlin, helping him approach the role in a way that felt instinctive rather than forced.
“I was returning from a trip to Mexico where I had a small role in a local series. This trip was a discovery for me, a new stage in my life. I was touched by Mexican shamanism and its culture. So when I read the first two sequences of Berlin, I immediately understood that he was a shaman. But not a shaman of light, he was very intelligent and above all dangerous, a kind of guru who can manipulate everyone as he pleases. I did not have to prepare too much the character, I decided to play intuitively and naturally and it worked,” Alonso explained.
That interpretation helped shape Berlin into a character who could be both captivating and deeply unsettling. Although he is far from a traditional hero, his ability to influence people and command attention became an essential part of his appeal.
Pedro Alonso Prefers to Take His Time
Despite the international success of Money Heist, Alonso has maintained a measured approach to his career. Rather than rushing from one project to another, the actor believes success is about making the right decisions and choosing work that genuinely interests him.
That philosophy was evident when he joined the selection jury of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival. The opportunity gave him the chance to spend a week alongside industry professionals and exchange ideas with people working in television.
“It is very stimulating and rewarding to share a week with local professionals. I am very curious so I did not hesitate when I was given this proposal,” he said.
Alonso’s relaxed manner and understated sense of humor also made him an engaging presence during the event. His anecdotes prompted laughter, while his calm demeanor suggested that he was in no hurry to capitalize on his growing fame.
For the actor, enjoying success does not mean constantly chasing bigger projects. It means making choices that allow him to remain fulfilled both professionally and personally.
Writing and Painting Are Among His Passions
Acting is not Alonso’s only creative outlet. He also enjoys painting and writing, although he approaches those interests with the same modesty that characterizes his attitude toward his career.
“I love to paint and write. But it’s not because I like doing that that I do it well!” he joked.
One of his projects was La Historia de Filipo, a book about a soldier and Roman spy who encounters a rebel soldier in a life-changing meeting. At the time of the interview, publication was planned for that year.
“This book is not the first one I wrote, but it will be the first to be published and who knows, maybe we could make a film,” Alonso said.
The project was also a collaboration with his girlfriend. The couple created paintings intended to illustrate the book and were considering organizing an exhibition in the future.
The combination of writing and painting reflects another side of Alonso’s creative life, one that extends beyond the characters audiences see on screen.
Could Pedro Alonso Become a Screenwriter?
Although Alonso has explored different artistic pursuits, he has no desire to force his career in a particular direction. He believes that professional changes should happen naturally rather than as the result of chasing opportunities simply because they are available.
“My career has bounced back in a short time and I benefit in my own way. Sometimes we make a mistake in our choices but I know that I made the right decisions because I am fulfilled,” he explained.
For Alonso, passion matters more than the number of projects he completes. Whether he continues acting, develops his writing or pursues painting more seriously, he wants each step to feel authentic.
“If one day my career changes course, I want it to be done naturally and then that day I will be happy,” he said.
His approach offers a glimpse into the mindset of an actor whose career has reached audiences around the world, yet who remains interested in exploring new creative possibilities at his own pace.
While many viewers will continue to associate Pedro Alonso with the unforgettable Berlin, his ambitions extend well beyond Money Heist. Writing, painting and the possibility of future projects all form part of a creative journey he is determined to follow on his own terms.