Ooyama Masashi to replace Takahata Yuta in NHK Taiga drama "Sanadamaru"

Ooyama Masashi will be replacing Takahata Yuta in the ongoing NHK Taiga drama "Sanadamaru" showing at 8pm on Sundays. Takahata was initially scheduled to play Sanada Nobumasa, the son of Sanada Nobuyuki (Ooizumi Yo). If he had been able to act in this role, this would have marked his first collaboration with his mother Takahata Atsuko who plays Kaoru, the mother of Nobuyuki.

According to insiders, NHK's top criteria when selecting Takahata's replacement was acting skills rather than the actor's popularity or how well-known he is to the public. Ooyama made his debut in the 2009 musical "Tennis no Oujisama" and secured his first leading role in the stage play "Sorao no Sekai". Since his debut 7 years ago, he has acted in more than 100 stage plays to date and is known for being good at singing and dancing and being able to play a variety of roles.

Ooyama is scheduled to appear from the 16 October episode of "Sanadamaru".

Source: Nikkansports