Hiyori Sakurada and Hayato Sano:Co-starring as the daughter of a company president and a kidnapper in her first lead role in a prime-time drama on a commercial key station, "ESCAPE: It Was Supposed to Be a Kidnapping"

It has been revealed that actors Hiyori Sakurada and Hayato Sano will be starring in the new NTV Wednesday drama "ESCAPE: It Was Supposed to be a Kidnapping" (Wednesdays at 10pm) which will air in October. The human suspense drama depicts the strange getaway of the daughter of a company president and her kidnapper, and this will be the first time that either actor will be starring in a prime-time drama on a major commercial broadcasting station.

Yagami Yui (Sakurada), the only daughter of the president of Yagami Pharmaceuticals, one of Japan's leading companies, is kidnapped by Hayashida Daisuke (Sano) and his men on the day of her 20th birthday party. However, the plan fails miserably. As Daisuke stands there, stunned, Yui for some reason says, "Run away with me!", and the bizarre escape of the "hostage and kidnapper" begins... This is the story. The screenplay is an original by Hikawa Kayo, who also wrote "After School Doctor" and "Hanasaki Mai ga Damatte Nai," and the film is directed by Komuro Naoko and Naganuma Makoto.

Sakurada plays Yagami Yui, also known as "Hachi," who has been raised since childhood as the successor to the Yagami family. She has a very serious personality and is interested in social welfare and poverty issues. However, due to a "certain secret," she has always been resistant to interacting with people. The "secret" has been passed down through generations of the Yagami family, and she begs the kidnapper Daisuke to run away with her...

Sano plays Hayashida Daisuke, also known as "Linda." He is a member of a kidnapping group and despite his aggressive behavior and appearance, he is a simple and honest man who cannot lie. He grew up in a poor environment and has a history of being involved in special fraud. However, by spending time with Yui, Daisuke comes to know values ​​he has never encountered before in his life, and a change comes over his heart. And Daisuke's innocent and casual actions also begin to have an impact on Yui...

Sakurada commented on Sano, with whom she is working closely for the first time, saying, "When I saw him in a play before, and also in his group activities, I had the image of him as a cheerful and sparkling person. Meeting him today, I felt he was a very friendly and quick-witted person."

Sano also said about Sakurada, "I had the impression that Sakurada had been appearing in various works for a long time, so I was surprised when I heard his age.He is much younger than me, but I thought he was a very reliable person."

The drama series "ESCAPE: It Was Supposed to be a Kidnapping" will start airing on October 8th and will be broadcast every Wednesday from 10pm.

◇Comment from Hiyori Sakurada

-What were your honest thoughts when you heard about the role this time?

When I first saw the title, I was shocked to see the word "kidnapping" in the subtitle. But as I read through the script, I was drawn more and more into the relationship between the two characters and the inner feelings of the people around them. I felt genuinely happy to be able to enter this world as Yagami Yui. Also, because it's an original script drama, I think viewers will be excited and looking forward to watching it all the way to the final episode.

--What were your thoughts after reading the script?

At first, I read on wondering, "What kind of kidnapper is this? What would it be like to be kidnapped?" But, since there's not much of an age difference between her and Daisuke, the story is peppered with dialogue between the two and emotional scenes. I just couldn't stop feeling excited about how the scenes would unfold.

--About the role you're playing this time

The character I play, Yagami Yui, is very intelligent and good at both academics and sports, but the innocent side she occasionally shows makes her seem like a real girl. She's a wonderful woman who excites me as I play her. Living a life without much freedom as a young lady, she is sometimes consumed by her surroundings rather than her own feelings, but I hope I can portray her true nature and feelings, which we get a glimpse of when she's alone with Daisuke.

--What is your impression of Mr. Sano?

When I saw you in a play before, and even when you were working as part of a group, I had the impression that you were a cheerful and sparkling person. Meeting you today, I felt that you were a very friendly and quick-witted person. In the comedy performance that I saw, I thought you were able to unfold the dialogue with such a comfortable tempo that it left you feeling refreshed just watching.

--Please give a message to our viewers

The story begins with a kidnapping, but from there various unimaginable developments occur, and many fascinating characters appear one after another. I would be happy if you could keep an eye on us, thinking, "These two are great," or "I wonder how their relationship will develop from here."

◇Comment from Hayato Sano

-What were your honest thoughts when you heard about the role this time?

Up until now, I've mostly played nerdy or introverted characters, so I was happy to be asked to play a role I've never played before, a "kidnapper." When I heard it was a "kidnapping-driven escape drama," I thought there would be a lot of serious scenes, but there are many more than that. I hope the viewers will think, "Oh, these two are great."

--What were your thoughts after reading the script?

I was surprised and impressed that there was a youthful scene between the two of them. I always get really nervous before filming, but this time I'm really looking forward to filming. Maybe he wanted to play a "slightly unconventional role" like Daisuke. He told me "you can ad-lib freely," so I'm looking forward to trying out different things on set and having fun with the role.

--About the role you're playing this time

The character I'm playing this time, Hayashida Daisuke, is a criminal with bad behavior, but for better or worse, I think he's a character with a "bold spirit." I also feel a bit of sexiness in the way he pushes through things that would stop a normal person. On the other hand, he's too honest and says what he thinks honestly, and he does have a foolish side, but deep down, I think he's a man who cares deeply for others."

--What is your impression of Sakurada?

I had the impression that Sakurada-san has been appearing in various productions for a long time, so I was surprised when I heard his age. He is much younger than me, but I thought he was very reliable. He plays difficult roles and delivers lines realistically... I get the impression that he is very skilled. On the other hand, during our interview today, he mistook my comment about "dark" for "cry" and asked me, "Are you crying?" (laughs). He is a naturally funny person, and I'm already at his mercy (laughs).

--Please give a message to our viewers

As the title "ESCAPE" suggests, we are in the position of "running away and being chased," but I'm sure you'll enjoy watching the changes in their relationship and their individual growth. I also think this drama contains the message that "it's okay for everyone to be happy." I hope that people of all ages will watch it and that this message will be conveyed to them.

◇ Comment from Producer Takayuki Akimoto

When I met Sakurada-san on another drama a few years ago, I was blown away by his overwhelming acting ability and thought I would like to work closely with him someday. When I watched the drama "Tower of Sand," I was blown away by Sano-san's overwhelming presence and thought I would like to work closely with him someday.

I am pleased to announce that I will be working with Sakurada-san and Sano-san. This will also be the first time that both of them will be starring in a prime-time terrestrial TV drama. I couldn't be happier to be working with them at this time.

At the recent script reading, I met the two of them as "Hachi and Linda." Their acting was so perfectly synchronized that it seemed as if they had jumped right out of the script, and I was convinced that it was a great choice for Sakurada-san and Sano-san to play the roles. I was so happy that I almost cried.

Everyone, please come and meet "Hachi and Linda" played by Sakurada-san and Sano-san. They are the best couple!