Actress Misaki Ito will take on a starring role in a TBS drama series titled "Edison no Haha."

Described as partly comedy, the series focuses on Noriko Ayukawa (Ito), the teacher of a class of first-graders. One day, a boy named Kento transfers into her class from another school, where he was treated as a problem child. In reality, the inquisitive Kento actually displays potential as a prodigy, and it's up to Noriko to figure out how to handle him.

The story draws inspiration from the childhood of famous inventor Thomas Edison, who was also considered a problem child by most adults around him.

Ito commented that she loves children, and is actually qualified as a kindergarten and nursery teacher.

The role of Kento will be played by 6-year-old Yuya Shimizu. This is his first major role in a drama. Maki Sakai has been cast as Kento's mother, and Shosuke Tanihara plays a university professor who is Noriko's ex-boyfriend. Other cast members include Kaoru Sugita and Yuki Matsushita.

TBS will broadcast the drama on Fridays at 10:00pm, starting on January 11.