Shioli Kutsuna: From Kaseifu no Mita to Hollywood Stardom

Kutsuna’s expression stiffens at Matsushima’s tense performance

In early December 2011, filming for the popular drama Kaseifu no Mita took place at an amusement park inside a zoo in Chiba Prefecture.

“The drama paid homage to the popular series Kaseifu wa Mita! starring Etsuko Ichihara (TV Asahi), and while the title itself left a strong impression, the biggest talking point was Nanako Matsushima’s (51) portrayal of the protagonist, housekeeper Akari Mita, a cold and emotionless character who never smiles. The show became a massive hit, reaching a peak viewership rating of 40%,” said a TV magazine writer.

That day, Matsushima arrived on set wearing a cap pulled low over her face. She never smiled, fully immersed in her role. The atmosphere on set was tense, and Kutsuna, her co-star, also appeared visibly nervous even while waiting for her scenes.

“Kutsuna played the role of Yui Asuda, the eldest daughter who struggles to hold her family together while harboring resentment toward her father, whom she blames for driving her mother to suicide. During the amusement park scene, she shared an intense moment with Taishi Nakagawa (26), who played her younger brother, making them seem like real siblings,” said a drama production staff member.

Regarding her experience working with Matsushima, Kutsuna shared her thoughts in an interview with MANTANWEB (published on January 2, 2012):

“During the first half of filming, rather than seeing her as Matsushima-san, she really felt like Mita-san. She was quite mysterious. She even told us, ‘Since the character is very unusual, I’m avoiding talking to my co-stars,’ so her Mita presence was really strong.”

She also reflected, saying:

“We were able to deliver a result that reached many people. It was an incredibly stimulating project.”

In 2023, Kutsuna gained attention in Japan for her role in the Netflix original drama Sanctuary, which revolved around the world of sumo wrestling. Fans continue to look forward to her future success in Hollywood.