Dean Fujioka to star in new FujiTV Spring 2018 drama "Monte Cristo Haku - Karei naru Fukushuu -"

Dean Fujioka will be starring in the new FujiTV Spring 2018 drama "Monte Cristo Haku - Karei naru Fukushuu -" (Count Monte Cristo - The Splendid Revenge -) which will begin its run from April in the Thursdays 10pm timeslot. Co-stars include Kanjani 8's Ookura Tadayoshi, Arai Hirofumi, Takahashi Katsunori and Yamamoto Mizuki. The story is based on the novel "The Count of Monte Cristo" by French writer Alexandre Dumas but will have its setting changed to modern-day Japan. Filming begins in early March.

Fujioka plays the lead character Saimon Dan who got framed for a crime he didn't commit and served 15 years in prison and lost the woman he loved i.e. Meguro Sumire (Yamamoto). Upon his release, he sets out to take revenge on the three men who were responsible for his plight. Ookura plays Nanjo Yukio who is an unpopular actor and was jealous of Dan even though he had offered his blessings to the latter and his fiancee while Arai plays Kagura Kiyoshi who was Dan's senior at the fishery company where they worked at and has a flawed viewed towards love. Last but not least, Takahashi plays Iruma Kohei, the police officer who concealed Dan's innocence and sent him off to prison.

With regard to his first leading role in a drama, Fujioka said that he was honoured to be given the opportunity but also felt the pressure since this is such a famous novel that had many remakes to date. With the support of his co-stars and staff, he hoped that they would be able to deliver a great drama to the viewers and pledged to put in his all to play his character.

Sources: Natalie / Nikkansports / Oricon