ITV has confirmed that its landmark 70 Up documentary series will come to an end, with Controller of Factual Entertainment Jo Clinton-Davis describing the decades-long project as "much more than a TV documentary". Labelling the programme as a landmark piece of filmmaking that has become part of British culture, she added: "In the evolving stories of our cast we see the universal themes of life play out."
Final chapter with two feature-length films
Jo also reflected on her personal connection to the series, saying: "It is the series that made me want to get into television. It is the series that I am beyond proud of having been involved in since 56 Up." Her comments come as ITV prepares to bring the remarkable Up documentary series to an end, with 70 Up confirmed as its final instalment after more than six decades on screen.
The concluding chapter will arrive as two feature-length films, each running for 90 minutes, with Oscar-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia behind the camera. The programmes are expected to air on ITV1 and ITVX later this year, although a release date has not yet been confirmed.
Archive material and original participants
Two additional programmes will also accompany the finale, giving viewers the opportunity to explore archive footage and stories involving people who were filmed at the age of 70 in previous decades. The material will include footage of people born during the Victorian era.
The groundbreaking project began in 1964 with 7 Up, which introduced 14 seven-year-old children from a range of backgrounds. The participants were then revisited approximately every seven years as the cameras documented their changing lives, relationships, careers and ambitions. Over the decades, the series grew into a unique record of British life, following the same individuals for more than 60 years.
New director and cast updates
Asif Kapadia took over the project following the death of Michael Apted, who directed the majority of the series and was closely involved with it throughout its long-running history. Two of the original 14 participants, Lynn Johnson and Nick Hitchon, have since died. Charles Furneaux is also expected to appear in the final chapter, having last featured in 21 Up.
Other participants connected to the final instalment include Sue Davis, Bruce Balden, Tony Walker, Jackie Bassett, John Brisby, Andrew Brackfield, Suzy Lusk, Paul Kligerman, Symon Basterfield, Neil Hughes and Peter Davies. The final films will bring an extraordinary television project to a close, marking the end of more than 60 years of filming and revisiting the lives of its original participants. 70 and Up will air on ITV1 soon.
