TBS is planning to air a drama special about the life of actress Masako Natsume, who died of leukemia in 1985 at the age of 27. The drama is based on "Futari no Masako," a book written by Natsume's mother.

Natsume is perhaps best known for her role as Tripitaka (Sanzo Hoshi) in the "Saiyuki" drama series from the late '70s.

Popular actress Yukie Nakama will play Masako, and Yoshiko Mita will play her mother. Filming began on May 27, with a target broadcast date in autumn.

The special is titled "Himawari ~Masako Natsume 27-sai no Shougai to Haha no Ai~." Himawari is the Japanese word for sunflower, which was one of Natsume's favorite flowers and was also the title of a movie she watched many times as a student - "I Girasoli," starring Sophia Loren.