The first episode of the TBS Sunday Theatre drama "Caster" (Sunday 9:00 p.m.) starring Hiroshi Abe was broadcast on April 13th. This was the popular actor's first Sunday Theatre appearance in eight years since "Little Giants," and he became a hot topic on social media.
◇The following contains spoilers
The drama is set in a TV news program and is a social entertainment piece that pursues the truth buried in the darkness and punishes evil. Abe plays the unconventional newscaster Soichi Shindo.
The role of Shinji Takimoto, the programming manager of "Newsgate," was played by Haruhiko Kato, who also gained popularity in a commercial for the sporting goods store "Alpen." In the first episode, after the rehearsal, Takimoto comes in to talk with Sakikubo (Mei Nagano), who has just been selected as the general director of the program, and producer Yamai (Takuma Otoo).
Regarding the rehearsal, Takimoto said with a laugh, "It was really fun. I wonder how it will turn out in the real thing!" He was then shown cheering on Sakikubo, saying, "If we're going to put together a show, I think we'll get some good ratings, so I'm a bit excited! It won't be that easy, Shindo-san. Well, do your best."
On social media, comments such as "I was surprised to see Kato Haruhiko!", "What! Newscaster Kato Haruhiko is in it?! His face hasn't changed at all", "Kato Haruhiko is still so cool even as he's gotten older", and "It was a short scene, but Kato Haruhiko's appearance was the one that got me the most excited" were spreading.
