Back in January, TBS announced the production of the most expensive drama in the history of the network. The drama is titled, "Nankyoku Tairiku ~Kami no Ryouiki ni Idomunda Otoko to Inu no Monogatari~", starring none other than SMAP's viewer magnet Kimura Takuya.

The drama is based on the true story of Japan's First Cross-Winter Expedition in Antarctica and is finally scheduled to air next season. However, up until now we have been left guessing on who would play the female lead next to Kimura. There have been many rumors about several actresses trying to avoid the sinking ship of the fading drama legend. Actresses usually don't gain anything from playing alongside Kimura, neither if it's a success nor if it's a disappointment. However, one actress recently managed to not lose her radiance next to him, and eventually accepted the role for this big-budget project - Ayase Haruka.

The two previously worked together for the popular drama "Mr. Brain" in 2009.

Kimura was glad to have her on board and praised her, "No doubt about it, Ayase was the best choice (for this role). As always, she is amazing."



Kimura is going to play the role of geologist 'Kuramochi Takeshi'. In 1983, Takakura Ken already portrayed a similar role in the film "Nankyoku Monogatari", simply known as "Antarctica" in many western countries. The plot will focus on the eleven members of the team and their relationship with the nineteen Sakhalin Huskies.

Ayase will portray the role of 'Takaoka Miyuki', the younger sister of Kuramochi's late wife. Takaoka is a teacher at a primary school and cares about Kuramochi just like a sister about her older brother, but after losing her older sister, she strongly opposes his decision to the join the expedition, and starts to grow deeper feelings for him.

She commented, "Miyuki is very kind at heart, but above all else, she is a very strong and steadfast woman. She is keeping a lot of feelings to herself, the loneliness and the anxiety about her brother-in-law living in Antarctica. I will try to portray those feelings to the best of my abilities."

TBS stated, "We don't just want to picture the challenge of an expedition team, but also the love between a woman and a man who is risking his life. Please look forward to the affectionate bond between the two eager people living in the middle of the Showa era."

"Nankyoku Tairiku" will start in October and air every Sunday at 9pm. Of course, with all the budget and work put into TBS' most-epic drama in history, expectations are high to achieve outstanding viewer-ratings.

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Source + Image: Sanspo