Yoshino Kimura to appear in last drama before taking maternity leave

Yoshino KimuraPhoto by Jun Sato

TOKYO —

Actress Yoshino Kimura, 35, is to appear in a new Fuji TV drama, which will be her last role before she takes maternity leave, she said in a statement released by her agency Top Coat on Wednesday. The series, which was filmed in February and March of this year, is called “Majutsu ha Sasayaku” (Black Magic Whispers) and is based on the work of novelist Miyumi Miyabe, 50.

The story focuses on Kimura’s character, Kazuko Takagi, who has used magic to conceal dark deeds in the past. As those around her try to learn more about her, Takagi becomes involved in increasingly mysterious incidents. The drama co-stars Aoi Nakamura, 20, and Eiji Okuda, 61.

Kimura and husband Noriyuki Higashiyama, 44, announced that they were pregnant with their first child in May of this year. Top Coat confirmed that this is the last appearance she will be making in a TV drama before taking maternity leave.

“Black Magic Whispers” will be broadcast on Fuji TV in September.

www.japantoday.com