Nakama Yukie to star in new WOWOW drama "Rakuen" showing in January 2017

Nakama Yukie will be starring in the new WOWOW drama "Rakuen" (Paradise" based on the same-titled novel by Miyabe Miyuki which will consist of 6 episodes and be shown from January 2017. The novel describes what happens 9 years after the end of the story in the novel "Mohouhan" also by Miyabe. This will be Nakama's first appearance in a WOWOW drama and her first attempt at acting in a Miyabe adaptation.The script will be written by Shinozaki Eriko who was also responsible for another WOWOW drama "Hippocrates no Chikai" and NHK morning drama "Mare". Nakama will play the role of Maehata Shigeko, a freelance writer who had suffered a trauma due to the case in "Mohouhan" and is faced with another murder case this time where she seeks to find out the truth. In preparation for the filming which lasted for two months from June this year, Nakama cut her long hair by 20cm so as to fit the image of Shigeko.

In "Rakuen" which takes place 9 years after the Doizaki couple killed and buried their then-15-year-old daughter under their house, Shigeko gets a weird request from a housewife who wants to find out if her 12-year-old son really has supernatural powers as he claimed. From the picture which the boy drew, Shigeko sees a striking resemblance to the Doizaki case and decides to undertake the investigation. Just then, the boy dies of a traffic accident thus leading Shigeko to wonder if there is more than meets the eye.

Nakama commented that the story is very well-paced and there are a number of mysteries waiting to be resolved which will lead viewers to the truth at the end. As such, she hoped that viewers can watch the entire drama and see what the message behind the title is. As for Miyabe, she said that she had always enjoyed Nakama's movies and dramas so she is very happy to see her being the lead for 'Rakuen" which has some supernatural elements. Miyabe commented that she will be eagerly anticipating the broadcast as she wants to see how the fantasy parts of the story will be presented in the drama.

Sources: Nikkansports / Sanspo / Oricon