Understanding this start date requires acknowledging the show’s humble origins. Money Heist was not initially a Netflix Original; it was a ambitious project conceived by creator Álex Pina for the Spanish network Antena 3. The first season, consisting of nine episodes, was greenlit in early 2016. After a period of pre-production, including casting and the construction of the show’s central, most challenging set—the hyper-detailed replica of the Royal Mint of Spain—the cameras were finally ready to roll.
May 4, 2016, marks the official first day of shooting. The location was not the Royal Mint itself, but rather a sprawling industrial estate in Madrid, where the show’s primary interior sets were built. This strategic choice allowed the production team complete control over lighting, camera movement, and the complex blocking required for the show’s numerous heist sequences. The first scenes filmed were reportedly character-driven moments introducing the core team of robbers—known as Tokyo, Berlin, Nairobi, Rio, Moscow, and Denver—before the high-tension takeover of the Mint began. money heist shooting start date
In conclusion, while viewers around the world associate Money Heist with its Netflix launch, its creative genesis is rooted in a Spanish television production that began filming on May 4, 2016. That date marks the true starting point of the heist, when the red jumpsuits were first worn, the Dalí masks were first donned, and the first note of “Bella Ciao” echoed through the makeshift halls of the Royal Mint of Spain. After a period of pre-production, including casting and
The significance of the May 4, 2016, start date extends beyond trivia. It represents the beginning of a production journey that defied initial expectations. After a lukewarm reception in Spain, Netflix acquired global streaming rights in late 2017, re-edited the series into two parts (each of 9 and 6 episodes respectively), and relaunched it worldwide. The show exploded in popularity, leading Netflix to commission additional seasons. However, those later seasons (Parts 3, 4, and 5), which dealt with the heist of the Bank of Spain, began filming years later—in October 2018 and subsequent dates. Thus, the original shooting start date of May 4, 2016, remains a historical landmark for the franchise, marking the moment the Professor’s grand plan first came to life on a soundstage in Madrid. This strategic choice allowed the production team complete
The choice of a spring start date was a logistical necessity. The production was scheduled to last several months, and the filmmakers needed to avoid the extreme heat of the Madrid summer for potential exterior shots and maintain a consistent production schedule. Shooting ran through the summer of 2016, concluding in August of that year. After post-production, the first part premiered on Antena 3 on May 2, 2017.