When Money Heist first dropped on Netflix in 2017, it became an instant cultural phenomenon. Red jumpsuits and Dalí masks flooded protests, Halloween parties, and even a real-life robbery in France. The series ran for five seasons, ending in 2021, but Netflix wasn't ready to leave the heist world behind. In 2023, the platform launched Berlin, a prequel centered on the fan-favorite character played by Pedro Alonso. Now, the second installment—Berlin and the Lady with an Ermine—has stormed the streaming charts, hitting #1 worldwide just three days after its May 15 release, according to FlixPatrol.
What's the New Heist About?
Season 1 saw Berlin assemble a new crew in Paris to swipe $51 million in jewels during Fashion Week. This time, the team heads to Seville for an even more audacious target: Leonardo da Vinci's iconic painting, Lady with an Ermine. The job comes from the ambitious Duke and Duchess of Málaga (José Luis García-Pérez and Marta Nieto), who think they're manipulating Berlin into adding to their stolen art collection. But as any fan knows, Berlin doesn't take orders—he plans to double-cross them and steal the painting for himself.
The season introduces a fiery new character, Candela (Inma Cuesta), a pickpocket who crosses paths with Berlin and becomes both a crew member and one of his most compelling love interests. Meanwhile, the team's personal dynamics evolve: Bruce (Paul Zinno) and Kelia (Michelle Jenner) are now a couple, while Cameron (Begoña Vargas) and Roi (Julio Peña) are still reeling from a breakup. The result is a heist that's less about the score and more about the tangled relationships within the gang.
A Divisive but Dominant Hit
Despite its chart-topping success, Berlin has been a polarizing series since its debut. Season 1 earned a lukewarm 70% critic score and 63% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Collider's Erick Massoto gave it a rare 2/10, arguing the show tries too hard to humanize a character who was compelling precisely because of his ruthless, psychopathic edge. Early reviews for Season 2 echo similar sentiments, with critics like Juan Pablo Russo noting that the expansion doesn't always translate into growth. Still, the series is undeniably a streaming juggernaut—its first season racked up 348 million hours viewed and 53 million total views in its premiere week, landing in the Top 10 of 91 countries.
For fans of intense heist storytelling, Berlin and the Lady with an Ermine offers a more personal, character-driven twist on the Money Heist formula. If you're craving even more edge-of-your-seat thrills, check out our ranking of the most intense thrillers ever made or explore this week's top Netflix picks. And for a deeper dive into another global hit, read about the 4-hour gangster epic 'Dhurandhar' dominating Netflix charts.
Whether critics love it or hate it, Berlin and the Lady with an Ermine proves that the Money Heist universe still has plenty of drawing power. As the #1 show on Netflix worldwide, it's a testament to the enduring appeal of a charming, unpredictable criminal mastermind—even if he's not quite the villain fans once loved to hate.
