SixTONES‘ Jesse joins NTV drama “パンチドランク・ウーマン”/”Punch Drunk Woman” as Reiji Kusaka, starring Ryoko Shinohara. The show will start in January.
An unprecedented prison break involving a female prison guard and a murderer (Reiji Kusaka, played by Jesse). The story follows Kozue Fuyuki (Ryoko Shinohara), a diligent and conscientious prison guard, who undergoes a transformation into a “wicked woman” after encountering a murderer.
Naohito Fujiki plays Yusuke Saeki, the detective assigned to Reiji‘s case. An assistant inspector with the Metropolitan Police Department’s First Investigative Division, he has a proven track record of solving numerous cases and knows Kozue‘s past. Kozue and Reiji‘s encounter will profoundly alter his own destiny as well.
JESSE AS REIJI KUSAKA
He is a pre-trial detainee / suspected of robbery–murder.
A detainee awaiting trial who has been indicted for the crime of robbery–murder and transferred to Hikawa Detention Center. With sharp, intimidating eyes, he threatens others and is an outlaw who rebels against social norms and rules. A person who is deeply involved in Kozue’s secret.
COMMENT BY JESSE
Q. This is a shocking story in which a female prison officer who has lived an honest, upright life transforms into a “femme fatale” after her encounter with a murderer. After reading the script, what were your impressions, and what is your mindset going into the role?
Even while reading the script, I felt a sense of excitement, thinking, “What’s going to happen next?” So I think there will also be enjoyment in seeing how it all turns out on screen. “Ah, so this is how it became.” I believe that if Reiji looks compelling from the perspective of the director and staff, that’s probably when they’ll give the OK. How much of Reiji’s charm can I bring out? That’s the key. I tend to get nervous, but on set I want to stay as calm as possible and focus completely on the performance.
Q. Kusaka Reiji is a mysterious “murderer.” What aspects are important to you when portraying him? And what points of your character would you like viewers to pay attention to?
I believe I have to perform in a way that conveys his mysterious nature. What I want viewers to pay attention to is how he and Kozue escape from prison. Also, since Reiji is the trigger for the escape, I hope people focus on that as well. Breaking out of prison isn’t something that can be done easily. I hope to express through the acting the moments when he meets the prison officer and the two of them decide to escape together.
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