Wakana Matsumoto smiles even when filming under the scorching sun in Toyosu! Wakana Matsumoto: Why the Late Blooming New Drama Queen Continues to Make Great Strides

Reiwa’s new drama queen” starring in two consecutive dramas

The era of the late-blooming actress who made her breakthrough at the age of 38 has arrived.

Around 3 p.m. in mid-September, a woman was standing by in front of a bus stop in Toyosu (Koto-ku), surrounded by many staff members. Wearing a white and brown autumn-colored one-piece dress, she was Wakana Matsumoto (40), an actress standing in an elegant manner. She was filming “My Treasure” (Fuji Television), a drama series in which she plays the lead role in the October season. Following “Saionji-san Does Not Do Housework” (TBS), which recently reached its final episode, Matsumoto has starred in two consecutive dramas and is probably one of the most popular actresses in the industry today.

Matsumoto got her big break when she played a mean sister-in-law in “Yangonokake no Ichizoku” (Fuji), which aired in 2010. Her comedic bad-girl antics have been described as “Matsumoto theater,” and she has been a big hit with viewers as one of the show’s showpieces. The roles she plays are not only full of fun, but also have a sense of familiarity that one might find in one’s own surroundings, making them easily likable by women,” says entertainment reporter Kaoru Shimada.

What is the reason for her continued success as the number one bad girl actress in Japan?

In “My Treasure,” she plays a “mendicant wife” who falsely raises a child with a man other than her husband as her husband’s child. She has a wide range of roles as an actor with flexible acting skills, and her fee is not so high yet, so it is easy to offer her. She will continue to be a valuable presence in dramas and movies.

Reiwa’s “new drama queen” is on her way to becoming a top actress.

From the October 11, 2024 issue of FRIDAY