‘Money Heist’: Why Itziar Ituño Almost Turned Down the Role of Inspector Raquel Murillo

Money Heist fans couldn’t imagine anyone else but actor Itziar Ituño playing Inspector Raquel. The Netflix series starts with the investigator trying to locate the Professor (Álvaro Morte), the money heist mastermind. But, the two form a romantic bond, and Raquel becomes a member of the heist crew. However, Ituño almost turned down the role of the inspector. Here’s why the actor joined the cast of Money Heist, also known as La Casa de Papel. 

Itziar Ituño didn’t want to join ‘Money Heist’ for one reason

Before securing the role of Raquel Murillo on Money Heist, Itziar Ituño also played a cop on another Spanish drama. For instance, she booked her first leading role in the Basque soap opera Geonkale. For over a decade, she played a police officer named Nekane Beitia. So, when the script for Money Heist came across her desk, Ituño wasn’t keen to take on the part.

According to OSSA, the actor found the story of Money Heist so enticing. Also, it’s worth noting Ituño found inspiration for her character from the 1991 horror film The Silence of the Lambs. Ituño channeled Clarice Starling, a student from the FBI Academy, sent to interview serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. In the end, the actor auditioned for the role and ultimately got the part.

Ituño names one characteristic she loves about Raquel Murillo

In an exclusive interview with Identity Magazine, Itziar Ituño talked about playing Raquel in Money Heist. The 47-year-old actor revealed she admired Raquel’s endurance and willingness to be “in touch” with herself. 

“I really like Raquel’s strength and find it very significant,” she explained. “She’s a genuine woman, in general – and that she’s also always in touch with her real self.”

Also, Ituño admires Raquel’s ability to remain true to herself, despite her surroundings. When the series started, Raquel wanted to take down the money heist group. As the show progressed, Raquel ultimately switched sides and joined The Professor in the Bank of Spain heist. 

“Raquel has always been the same person. However, her perception of the world around her [and everything going on] is the one thing that [drastically] changed,” she explained. “What I like about her is that even though the world around her changed, she didn’t. She’s always been the same person.”

What’s next for the gang in ‘Money Heist’ Part 5 Vol. 2?

In the last season of Money Heist, Raquel and the gang remain trapped in the Bank of Spain. Money Heist fans want to know how the story will end for the group. Will the money heist crew escape with the gold? Or, will they meet an untimely fate? Well, Money Heist creator Álex Pina weighs in on the gang’s future. While he remained tight-lipped about the final installment, he did signal that the last part will focus on the “emotional” aspect of the characters. 

According to Digital Spy, Pina said in a statement, “We decided to work in an extremely aggressive genre, putting The Gang on the ropes. In volume 2, we focus more on the emotional situation of the characters. It is a journey across their sentimental map that connects us directly to their departure.”

Money Heist Part 5 Vol. 2 premieres on Netflix on Dec. 3. 2021.