Ryoko Yonekura’s Doctor X to Boost TV Asahi’s Drama Special Series

Actor Ryoko Yonekura (48), starring in the popular TV Asahi drama series “Doctor X ~ Surgeon Michiko Daimon,” will have its first film adaptation titled “Doctor X: The Movie,” set to release on December 6th.

The series portrays the exploits of Michiko Daimon (played by Yonekura), a solitary freelance surgeon affiliated with a renowned physician referral agency, who navigates various hospitals without belonging to a university hospital department. Her famous catchphrase “I never fail!” is likely familiar to many.

The drama series first aired in October 2012 and continued through October 2021 for seven seasons. From its second season in October 2013 to its fifth season in October 2017, it became a hit with average household ratings exceeding 20% for all episodes. Despite overall declining TV ratings across networks, the drama maintained strong viewership, recording an average of 16.5% for its 10 episodes in the October 2021 season (according to Video Research, Kanto region).

“In 2019, Yonekura announced she had idiopathic intracranial hypertension. In autumn 2022, she was diagnosed with acute low back pain and sacroiliac joint dysfunction, causing mobility impairments. The filming of ‘Doctor X,’ which includes scenes requiring her to stand and move around in heels, became challenging.

Furthermore, Yonekura has been reluctant to perpetuate the image of ‘Doctor X’ and had hesitated to accept offers for sequels as the seasons progressed. However, out of gratitude to longtime viewers, she enthusiastically agreed to the idea of concluding the series with a theatrical finale,” said a TV Asahi insider.

Originally a model, Yonekura transitioned to acting in 1999. Despite appearing in numerous film and television productions, she has starred in fewer than ten movies throughout her career.

The theatrical version of TV Asahi’s leading detective drama “The Negotiator ~THE NEGOTIATOR~”, titled “The Negotiator THE MOVIE: Brain Battle at 10,000 Meters”, was released in 2010. Had it been a hit, the drama series might have continued. However, with box office earnings of 630 million yen, it struggled to expand, and no sequels were aired. For Yukura, achieving “revenge” through the theatrical version of a representative work is crucial. She is expected to approach the promotion with extraordinary determination.

Moreover, TV Asahi’s decision to launch the theatrical version of their prized series “Doctor X” this time appears driven not only by Yukura’s intentions but also by their desire to halt the “losing streak” of their popular drama series in cinemas.

“In the fall of 2020, ‘Seven Secretaries’, featuring women secretaries excelling in their roles, averaged 14.5% over 8 episodes. Riding on that momentum, they released the theatrical version ‘Seven Secretaries THE MOVIE’ in 2022, but it fell short with box office earnings of 660 million yen. Last year, they released the theatrical version of the popular drama series ‘Woman of Forensic Science’ starring Yasuko Sawaguchi (59), but it ended with box office earnings of 540 million yen.

Originally scheduled for release in June last year, ‘Emergency Interrogation Room THE FINAL’ starring Yuki Amami (56) as the conclusion of the popular series ‘Emergency Interrogation Room’, was postponed due to the arrest and prosecution of Kabuki actor Sarunaka Ichikawa (48) for aiding his parents’ suicide. It was only in June this year that the reshoot with Makiji Ishimaru (58) as Ichikawa’s substitute was decided, but the release date remains uncertain. Therefore, there is a strong desire to ensure the success of ‘Doctor X’ in theaters. They are expected to aggressively promote the film to viewers from an early stage.” (Movie Industry Insider)

Will Yukura be able to beautifully conclude her representative work?

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