It was revealed on October 8th that the popular TV drama "Doctor X: Surgeon Daimon Michiko" (TV Asahi), starring actress Yonekura Ryoko, will end its 12-year history with the release of the movie "Doctor X: The Movie" (directed by Tamura Naoki) on December 6th. Yonekura herself announced this with tears in her eyes at a completion report press conference held at TV Asahi (Minato Ward, Tokyo) on the same day.
The press conference was attended by Yonekura, Tanaka Kei, Uchida Yuki, Katsumura Masanobu, Suzuki Kosuke, Endo Kenichi, Kishibe Ittoku, and Nishida Toshiyuki. Surrounded by her familiar "Doctor X family," Yonekura revealed, "I've continued Doctor X while saying many times that this is the end, but this movie will be the last Doctor X."
With tears in her eyes, Yonekura commented, "I truly believe that Doctor X has been loved thanks to my colleagues here, my co-stars who played the villains in the 12 seasons, the staff, and the viewers who supported us." She then added, "We were able to welcome the movie as the finale with these colleagues," and appealed, "I hope that many people will watch Doctor X, which is filled with so much emotion."
Regarding her thoughts on the end of the series, Uchida expressed her gratitude to her long-time "partner," saying, "I always acted thinking that it was the last time, but this time, I just wanted to support her decision to step down as Daimon Michiko. I'm grateful to Yonekura Ryoko for continuing to act."
As the cast members one after another expressed their sadness, Endo joked, "If the movie is a hit, we'll do it again (laughs)," to which Suzuki replied, "You should never say that (laughs)!" The film tells the story of the protagonist, a lone freelance surgeon named Daimon Michiko, who discovers the "secret of her birth," and brings together familiar cast members from the drama series. Also appearing in the film have been announced: Sometani Shota, Nishihata Daigo from Naniwa Danshi, and Ayano Go.
