New cast announced for "The Royal Family"

The new cast for the October TBS Sunday Theatre drama "The Royal Family" (Sundays at 9pm), starring actor Satoshi Tsumabuki, was announced on August 29th, revealing that Ando Masanobu, Takasugi Mahiro, Kenjiro Tsuda, and Yoshizawa Yu will appear.

The story is set in the world of horse racing. The cast announced this time will play important characters related to horse owner Kozo Sanno (Koichi Sato), who has a major influence on the life of the main character, tax accountant Eiji Kurisu (Tsumabuki), with Ando playing Hironaka Hiroshi, a trainer who pours his utmost love into horses, Takasugi playing jockey Ryujiro Saki, Tsuda playing Tohnichi Sports' ace horse racing reporter Tsuneaki Taira, and Yoshizawa playing Aiso Masaomi, the talented racing manager of Kozo's arch rival Yoshihiro Shiina (Kazuki Sawamura).

"The Royal Family" is based on the novel of the same name by Kazuma Hayami. Eiji Kurisu has always respected his father, who runs a tax accounting firm, but after a certain incident, he experiences setbacks in his career and loses hope. However, when he meets Kozo Sanno, a horse owner, his life, which had come to a sudden halt, begins to move forward... This is the story.

Ando commented, "I am very excited to be reuniting and acting with Satoshi Tsumabuki, whom I met through acting in my early twenties, for the first time in 20 years. Through this drama, I hope to experience the mystery and warmth of passing on universal love and blood ties to the next generation, and to convey that to everyone. Please be sure to watch 'The Royal Family'."

Takasugi said, "When I heard about the role and read the original novel and the script, I was naturally moved, as if my heart was pounding. I was struck by the greatness and wonder of passing on a legacy, and I suddenly associated it with myself. I thought about the past, present, and future, the people I've met, the events that have happened, and it made me realize that it's in my blood. My role is that of a jockey who carries the thoughts of all those people on his shoulders. I'll run at full speed to the end."

Tsuda said, "It's just a horse running, that's all there is to it...but it warms my heart to see the people who dedicate their lives to horse racing. Many people are involved in horse racing, bloodlines are passed down, and various dramas are born and disappear. I am happy to be able to take part in such a story. I am excited to be working with such wonderful staff and such a great cast. I hope you will enjoy 'The Royal Family'."

Yoshizawa commented, "I'm excited to play the role of Aiiso this time and get to see the 'horse owner's side' that I had never known before. Places that only those involved can enter and meetings with people that only those involved can meet are experiences that can only be had through this drama. When I read the original work, I was moved to learn that horse racing is a world in which there are many people involved other than the races, and that it is a world of bonds with horses, inheritance of blood, and heart-wrenching stories. I look forward to bringing this drama to you on Sunday Theatre in October."