It has been revealed that actors Momoko Tanabe, Mayu Yokota, and Meari Hayashi will be starring in the October drama series "Murder of My Favorite" (Yomiuri TV/NTV, Thursdays 11:59 PM). The suspense story revolves around a trio of idols who commit murder, and this will be Tanabe's second consecutive lead role, following her currently airing series "I Want to Fish for Shrimp Too" (NTV).
The film is based on the novel of the same name (published by Takarajimasha Bunko) by Kataru Endo, which won the Grand Prize in the paperback edition of "This Mystery is Amazing!" (published by Takarajimasha). Baby★Starlight, a troubled trio of idols based in Osaka, commits the crime of "murder," but vows to cover it up and continue performing on stage. As they face one crisis after another and their tragic pasts are revealed, they soon become embroiled in an unsolved serial murder case that is causing a stir in society... This is a thrilling suspense story. The screenplay is by Yoko Izumisawa ("Rikokatsu" and "IQ246") and Yu Kanda ("HR Hero" and "Warau Matryoshka"), and the directors are Keisuke Shibata and Yura Koroyasu.
Tanabe plays Takamiya Rui, who lost her emotions after a certain trauma and simply lives her life as if she were going with the flow; Yokota plays Hayakawa Thelma, who has extreme emotional swings and a ferocious squirrel-like personality, biting at everything; and Hayashi plays Sawakita Izumi, who is blessed with good looks and is chosen as the center of the group, but is viewed with hostility by Thelma.
The drama "Murder of My Favorite" will be broadcast on Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV every Thursday at 11:59pm starting October 2nd. It will consist of 13 episodes.
◇Comment from Momoko Tanabe
Since when have we been wearing masks? I am honored to have had the opportunity to play the small hero "Louis," who is so tender, warm, and fragile in this work. Three worn-out hearts are sucked into a huge whirlpool after a certain incident. What is evil and what is true? Which is a mask and which is their true feelings? This is a human suspense story with high contrasts, so please look forward to it.
◇Comment from Mayu Yokota
Thelma, the character I play, is the most cheerful and strong-willed of the three, but she also has a tendency to put on a false front because of a lot that has happened in the past, so I think it will be interesting to gradually come to understand these aspects of her.
This is my first time speaking the Kansai dialect, so I'm currently working hard on practicing. I was feeling a bit nervous when I did the script reading the other day, but everyone praised me, which gave me a bit of courage, so I'd like to practice more before filming begins.
Although they commit murder at first, the case is not solved right away. There is another serial murder case, and I was thrilled as I read the script, wondering how this case will intertwine with ours and become embroiled in something even scarier. I hope that viewers will share their fear with me.
◇Comment from Meari Hayashi
This is a suspenseful story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, as you watch how the three characters change and how they cope with the situation after covering up a murder.
After reading the original novel and the script, I felt that the time I spent as Izumi in this thrilling space would be very stimulating and precious. I would like to deepen my understanding of Izumi's humanity and take on the challenge of filming!
I am grateful to be involved in this production and to be able to work with such a wonderful cast, and I am also preparing to take on many challenges. I hope you will look forward to the broadcast.
◇Comment from the original author, Kataru Endo
When I heard that it was being made into a TV drama, I was thrilled. When I read the script, I was thrilled in a different way. "Are they going to push the main characters to this point?!"
The main characters find themselves in a pinch every episode, or rather, almost every minute. It's a series of difficulties, like a bad year, a period of great misfortune, and a period of great misfortune all happening at once. I hope everyone will support this exciting and suspenseful drama, which is different from the original work.
◇ Comment from Producer Takashi Nakayama
What if your "favorite" committed a "sin"? When I read Endo-sensei's wonderful original work with its excellent title, I couldn't help but think about it. Would you support them? Or...?
However, this drama is not about idols. It is not about the industry. It is a thrilling suspense drama with continuous heart-pounding moments. It is the story of three women who carry many things on their shoulders, resist many things, and live their lives to the fullest.
These three characters are played by some of the hottest actresses in the world. These women are not just cute, sparkly idols, but strong women who look forward and keep trying to get back on their feet, no matter how ugly they may be, even if they are covered in bruises or mud.
These three charming and adorable girls will undoubtedly make you want to support them. We hope you will join us as we peek into their stage called "life" and their way of life as if you were watching a live broadcast, and become their "accomplices."
I hope that this will become a favorite drama for many people this fall.
