Middle-aged maternity seems to be a subtheme for the spring TV season. In NHK's six-part drama series "Madonna Verde" (NHK-G, Tues., 10 p.m.), Ryoko Kuninaka plays Rie, a gynecologist-obstetrician who works at a university hospital. She herself becomes pregnant but later loses the child when she develops cancer of the uterus. Even worse, she has to undergo a hysterectomy, thus losing the ability to ever give birth to a child.
As a professional, however, she understands her options. Her mother, Midori (Keiko Matsuzaka), is understandably traumatized to learn of her daughter's tragedy, and so is even less prepared for her bold request. Rie wants Midori to be a surrogate mother for Rie's next child.
In the new drama series "Umareru" ("Being Born"; TBS, Fri., 10 p.m.), Manami (Maki Horikita) works for a company that "produces" books for publication. She is constantly frustrated because all her project suggestions are ignored, while younger colleagues are being promoted ahead of her.