NHK's 'The Drama' Adds Six Cast Members; Yoshinobu Actor Still Unnamed
NHK announced six new cast members for its 66th taiga drama on November 6, 2026, but the actor playing Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu remains unannounced.
NHK announced six additional cast members for its taiga drama 'The Drama' on November 6, 2026, according to cinematoday.jp. The new additions include Ikkei Watanabe as Okubo Tadahiro, Shiro Sano as Hayashi Fukusai, Mitsuru Fukikoshi as Utsugi Kageyoshi, So Takei as Nakahama Manjiro, Soma Santoki as Fukuzawa Yukichi and Shinata Furuta as Muragaki Norimasa.
The drama is scheduled to premiere on January 10, 2027, on NHK General TV, airing from 8:00 to 8:45 pm. It is the 66th NHK taiga drama and is written by Naoko Adachi.
Tori Matsuzaka plays the lead, Oguri Kozukenosuke Tadamasa, and Takao Osawa plays Katsu Kaishu. The role of Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu has not yet been announced, and social media users are speculating about who will take the part.
Previously announced cast
Earlier announcements included Mone Kamishiraishi as Michi, Yukiya Kitamura as Tadataka, Kyoka Suzuki as Kuni, Takashi Okabe as Ii Naosuke and Masatoshi Nakamura as Azumi Gensai.
On October 30, 2026, the drama's official X account posted a character relationship chart labelled 'Ver.0'. Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu has previously been played by Tsuyoshi Kusanagi in 'Seiten o Tsuke' (2021), Shota Matsuda in 'Saigo-don' (2018), Shintaro Mori in 'Hana Moyu' (2015), Kotaro Koizumi in 'Yae no Sakura' (2013), Tetsushi Tanaka in 'Ryomaden' (2010), Masahiro Motoki in 'Tokugawa Yoshinobu' (1998) and Masahiko Tsugawa in 'Katsu Kaishu' (1974).
Quick answers
When does 'The Drama' premiere?
It is scheduled to start on January 10, 2027, on NHK General TV from 8:00 to 8:45 pm.
Who plays the lead in 'The Drama'?
Tori Matsuzaka plays the lead, Oguri Kozukenosuke Tadamasa. Takao Osawa plays Katsu Kaishu.
Who has been cast as Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu?
The role has not yet been announced as of November 6, 2026.