Yuki Uchida Stuns in New Age-Gap Romance Drama, Revealing a Poignant and Alluring Look Behind the Scenes

“I wondered if I was really suited for the role”

A woman standing in a brightly lit area of a park at night, gazing intently at something in the distance. It was actress Yuki Uchida (50).

On this day, filming for the new Thursday drama “Last Note” (Fuji TV) was taking place at a park in Koto Ward, Tokyo.

“‘Last Note’ is a completely original drama written by screenwriter Tomomi Matoba, known for works such as ‘Yanguo-toki no Ichizoku’ (Fuji TV, April 2022) and ‘Fukushū no Mibōjin’ (TV Tokyo, July 2022). It is an adult romance drama depicting a quiet attraction between a man and woman with a significant age difference, whose environments and life experiences are completely different, eventually leading them toward the most intense love of their lives.

Uchida plays Aoi Ichinose, a woman in her 40s who works at a fragrance company and is reasonably satisfied with her stable, uneventful life. The young man she meets due to a problem involving her best friend, Subaru Higuchi, is played by Takuji Teranishi (31) of timelesz.” (TV magazine writer)

For Uchida, this marks her first starring role in a Fuji TV serial drama in 30 years, since “Tsubasa wo Kudasai!” (1996). The filming scene was witnessed in mid-June. It was a scene in a completely dark park at night where Uchida was facing actress Maki Sakai (56) and having a conversation. Afterward, Sakai walked away and Uchida waved goodbye. She then stood still in the same spot.

Her eyes, filled with melancholy as they appeared in the darkness, seemed to carry an alluring beauty.

For Teranishi, meanwhile, this marks his first-ever starring role in a drama. Several days after the opening scene mentioned above, filming of Teranishi and Uchida was observed at a park in Chuo Ward, Tokyo. Before filming began, Teranishi, dressed in a suit, carefully discussed the scene with the staff. Afterwards, the two actors proceeded with filming together. When the shoot finished successfully and the director called “cut,” it was striking to see the two smiling and laughing together.

Regarding her appearance in the drama, Uchida said:

“To be honest, I thought about it a lot. I wondered whether I would really be able to handle the role, and I also felt some hesitation about portraying a romance with a younger man. However, I wanted to respond to the message that people can fall in love with someone no matter how old they are, as well as producer Reiko Misao’s wish of ‘I want people to feel excitement again!’ so I decided to take on the role.”

(TV Guide web, July 1)

In response, Teranishi expressed his enthusiasm:

“I have zero hesitation! I have always wanted to challenge myself in the world of acting for television, and I was simply thrilled to receive the opportunity to star in a commercial TV drama. After reading the script, I hoped that I could encourage even a little the people of today who have unconsciously become accustomed to giving up.”

On July 5, the entertainment website “Crank-in!” released the results of a reader survey titled: “Which leading actress are you most looking forward to seeing in July 2026 dramas?” Uchida took first place.

Expectations are rising for this mature age-gap romance drama.

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