Here’s Why Nairobi’s Death Was Necessary – According To The Director

La Casa de Papel/Money Heist , currently one of the most beloved shows in the world, is just four months away from its finale. With Season 5 being divided into two parts/volumes, you can bet it is going to be GOOD.

Whether it be Denver’s laugh or everyone crying at a beloved character’s death, Money Heist has always had a knack for the dramatics. And one such heavy hitter was the death of Nairobi (Alba Flores) in Season 4.

Many fans called it an unfair death. But this also meant Arturo had to take a backseat as Gandía became the new favorite character for people to love to hate. But if you wondered why the showrunners decided to kill her off, here’s what ep and director Jesús Colmenar had to say during the Television Critics Assn. Press tour panel,

I think that adds momentum to our characters. We kill our characters, and I think it adds tension, and it’s a good thing to not be able to know what happens.

Jesús Colmenar

Colmenar explained that her personality wouldn’t be a good fit for the epic showdown that they had planned for Season 5, “She wasn’t called for that.” (via Variety)

To this, Álvaro Morte, who plays The Professor, added,

I think it contributes to the reality that anything may happen, and it contributes to the element of surprise.

Álvaro Morte

In another EW story on a virtual set visit in June Colmenar had explained,

Nairobi represented the heart of the gang in a way. And I think that in this last season, Nairobi would have had a hard time fitting in because this is a season of direct confrontation.

And Nairobi was always a different kind of character, a character that was not made for direct confrontation… her legacy is going to inspire the other characters, for sure.

Colmenar

Alright, sure, maybe it was a ‘realistic move’ and sure had all the fans in their feels. But damn, was it necessary to make everyone cry by showing Nairobi looking serene in that red dress and resting alongside Berlin, Oslo, and Moscow with Delicate by Damien Rice playing in the background?

Whatever the ending is, hopefully, Gandía doesn’t have a happy one. If so, fans might just give Arturo a free pass.

Here’s the trailer for Season 5 in case you missed it:

Money Heist Season 5, Volume 1, will premiere on September 3, followed by Volume 2 on December 3.

About Money Heist

Money Heist (Spanish: La casa de papel, meaning “The House of Paper”) is a Spanish heist crime drama television series created by Álex Pina.

The series traces two long-prepared heists led by the Professor (Álvaro Morte), one on the Royal Mint of Spain, and one on the Bank of Spain. The narrative is told in a real-time-like fashion and relies on flashbacks, time-jumps, hidden character motivations, and an unreliable narrator for complexity.

The show focuses on the meticulous plans and the specific contingencies of the Professor who has prepared his group of robbers dressed in red jumpsuits and Dali masks.