Tetsuya Watari

Tetsuya Watari to play PM in upcoming NTV drama

Sunday 05th July, 04:00 AM JST

TOKYO —

Actor Tetsuya Watari, 67, will take on the role of prime minister for the first time in his 44-year acting career, for the upcoming Nippon TV drama “Kareinaru supai” (“The Great Spy.”)

Watari said that he wants to play a reliable prime minister who doesn’t flip flop, and said that he will not be seeking inspiration from current Prime Minister Taro Aso. He also remarked on the possibility of viewer ratings exceeding current support levels for the incumbent government.

Actor and vocalist of rock group TOKIO, Tomoya Nagase, 30, will play a brilliant scamster who is serving a 30-year sentence in prison, but who is released on the condition that he become a spy for the government and help out in their fight against terrorism. It’s the first time in five years for Nagase to star alongside Watari, and he complemented his senior partner when he said: “It would be great if Japan had such a cool prime minister in real life.”

Actress Kyoko Fukada, 26, will play a female spy, and Ken Watanabe’s daughter Anne, 23, will play a newspaper reporter.

“Kareinaru supai” will air on Saturdays at 9 p.m. starting July 18.

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Latest 15 of 16 Total Comments Show All

panzerdampf at 10:47 AM JST - 5th July

I'd like to see Matsubara Chieko in the movie. Those '60s Nikkatsu movies were great.
gogogo at 11:20 AM JST - 5th July

puke it's a copy of 24
Crimsonsil at 01:12 PM JST - 5th July

puke it's a copy of 24

Now that you mention it....It does sound a bit similar. I like 24 though, so maybe this will be interesting.
mareo2 at 01:17 PM JST - 5th July

Oh... another comedy. No thanks, I rather keep watching anime.
telecasterplayer at 01:53 PM JST - 5th July

Maybe he can play a drifting prime minister who whistles his own theme song...
stirfry at 03:59 PM JST - 5th July

seems like a good idea because i heard he's physically capable of putting his feet in his mouth
RandomTask at 03:59 PM JST - 5th July

Man, Japan is just ripe for a great comedy about the current government.
GAYMAN at 05:05 PM JST - 5th July

a third-rate actor for a PM? not very refreshing
Gaijinocchio at 06:42 PM JST - 5th July

Watari said that he wants to play a reliable prime minister who doesn’t flip flop, and said that he will not be seeking inspiration from current Prime Minister Taro Aso

So who will he be seeking inspiration from? Fukuda? Abe? Watari doesn't really have the Koizumi style...How about Mori? Hashimoto! No...he was disgraced by dentists. Ummm, Sosuke Uno! Wait, he has that scandal with geishas.

I can't think of any PMs he could get good inspiration from. I know, how about Itou Hirobumi?!
blvtzpk at 07:30 PM JST - 5th July

Heck, why not Becky for PM?
Triumvere at 08:04 PM JST - 5th July

Watari said that he wants to play a reliable prime minister who doesn’t flip flop, and said that he will not be seeking inspiration from current Prime Minister Taro Aso.

Burn!!!
plasticmonkey at 09:12 PM JST - 5th July

Wasn't this guy in Thunderbirds?
Speed at 11:18 PM JST - 5th July

Watari Tetsuya was one of Japan's "good looking dude" leading men in the 60s. He's actually one the few actors who seems down to earth and I don't mind seeing.
NeoJamal at 11:29 PM JST - 5th July

Nobunaga as PM..just what the nation needs about now
kinniku at 10:41 AM JST - 9th July

Tetsuya Watari has exactly two facial expressions and he certainly has managed to make good use of them.