Non Returns to Fuji TV Drama After 14 Years in Tokyo Middle 30
Non's return to a Fuji TV regular role after 14 years, paired with a first-time co-star in Riisa Naka, gives the network's remake of a Chinese hit a marquee duo that could draw viewers to the Wednesday night slot.
Reporting from 2 sources: Eiga Natalie, Cinema Today.
Non has been cast as one of the lead roles in the Fuji TV drama "Tokyo Middle 30," marking her first regular role on the network in 14 years since "The Locked Room" (2012). The series, a Japanese remake of the Chinese drama "Nothing But Thirty," follows three women from local cities who moved to Tokyo and now face the gap between their dreams and reality as they approach age 35. Non plays Haruka Yamaji, nicknamed Harukyan, the second protagonist and best friend to Riisa Naka's character Maki. Haruka moved to Tokyo to become a musician but now works as an apparel store manager, is single, and begins a romance with a high-spec older man who visits her store. The drama is scripted by Ayako Kitagawa, whose credits include "Laid-Back Camp" and the live-action "Oshi no Ko." It premieres July 22 on Fuji TV, airing Wednesdays at 22:00. The third lead, an elementary school teacher named Kaoruko, has yet to be announced. Non and Naka are co-starring for the first time. Non said she was drawn to the script and described her character as carefree and impulsive but lovable. Producer Ue Shikanai praised Non as a "wonderful mid-30s adult woman" whose acting shows she loves the role.
Non said she was drawn to the script and described her character as carefree and impulsive but lovable. Producer Ue Shikanai praised Non as a "wonderful mid-30s adult woman" whose acting shows she loves the role.
Direction is by Masaya Kakei, Shogo Miyaki, and Takahiro Takasugi. The third lead, elementary school teacher Kaoruko Nagano who cannot bring herself to marry her live-in boyfriend, will be announced later.
Non said about co-starring with Naka for the first time: "She is very kind, and her presence is so beautiful that I can't help but be captivated. She's funny and made me laugh a lot." Naka responded: "Non-san is the youngest of the three, but her role is the mood maker, so I thought she perfectly fits my image of 'Harukyan.'"
Filming of scenes with the three leads has already taken place. Non said: "We exchanged acting in a comfortable atmosphere and enjoyed it to the fullest."
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Eiga Natalie のんがフジテレビ系ドラマ「Tokyo middle 30」で主人公の1人に、仲里依紗の親友役
- Cinema Today のん、14年ぶりフジ連ドラレギュラー出演 仲里依紗と初共演「Tokyo middle 30」第2の主人公に決定