Darko Peric

Darko Perić was born on March 25, 1977, in Kladovo, SR Serbia, Yugoslavia. His early interest in performance began at age six, leading to participation in school plays. In 1991, due to the Yugoslav Wars, he was sent to veterinary school in Bucharest, Romania. There, while studying medicine, he reconnected with his passion for acting through short films and interactions with students at the Romanian Film Academy. He later moved to Timișoara, Romania, in 1994, where he completed his veterinary degree with honors and continued to engage with local arts scenes, including singing in bands. His experiences with international artists in Timișoara inspired a move to Berlin, Germany, where he continued acting in short films until 2004, at which point he relocated to Barcelona, Spain.

Perić began his professional acting career in Spain with a significant role in the series ‘Crematorio’ for Canal+ in 2010. His film career advanced with an appearance in ‘A Perfect Day’ in 2015. A pivotal role came in 2016 when he played Oso, the main antagonist, in the Atresmedia series ‘Sea of Plastic / Mar de plástico’. However, his most recognized role internationally is that of Helsinki in the Spanish crime thriller series ‘La Casa de Papel (Money Heist)’, which ran from 2017 to 2021. Netflix’s acquisition of ‘Money Heist’ significantly boosted its global viewership, leading to the show winning the Best Drama at the Emmy Awards in 2018.

Beyond his acting work, Perić is known for speaking six languages. He also conducts masterclasses globally, teaching Qigong under the title “Qigong: Physical and Mental Preparation for Actors,” combining theoretical knowledge with practical application for performers. Perić maintains an active interest in basketball, which he discusses as a devotion.