The new cast for the NHK morning drama "Kaze, Kaoru," starring Ai Mikami and Juri Uesaka, which will air in the first half of 2026, has been announced on the drama's official account (@asadora_nhk), revealing that former member of the idol group Nogizaka 46, singer and actor Erika Ikuta, will appear. Making her first appearance in an morning drama, Ikuta will play Tamada Tae, a classmate from the training school.
Tae, played by Ikuta, was born into a family of court physicians during the Edo period, and grew up in an environment where medical care was close at hand. She has an honor student temperament and is highly conscious, which sometimes leads to conflicts with those around her. Due to certain circumstances within her family, she enters the training school.
Ikuta said, "For many years, I have fervently wished in my heart that one day I would appear in a morning drama. I am extremely happy and excited to be able to appear in 'Kaze, Kaoru' this time. I feel the passion and love that my co-stars, including Mikami-san and Uesaka-san, and all the staff, have poured into this production, and every day it feels like a breath of fresh air is blowing through my soul. I will do my best as a part of this production. I hope you will all support me."
She continued, "It's been a dream of mine to be involved in a morning drama that I've been familiar with since I was a child and that is loved by so many people. I've tried many times before, so I'm very honored to be able to join this one."
The character she plays, Tae, inherits the teachings of Nightingale and aspires to become a nurse. Ikuta said, "When I told my mother about my appearance in this film, she told me that I was born at the Nightingale Hospital in Germany, and was surprised by this strange connection. I would like to do my best while firmly embodying the spirit and mission of nursing."
"Kaze, Kaoru" is the 114th serial TV drama. Set in the Meiji era, it is a buddy drama featuring two trained nurses, Ozeki Chika and Suzuki Masa, as its two protagonists. The two graduated from the same nursing school, but struggle with how to interact with patients and doctors, and grow through clashes, eventually becoming the "strongest buddy." Migami plays the lead role of Ichinose Rin, while Uesaka plays Oya Naomi.
