Asif Kapadia is set to complete the final chapter in what has long been considered a landmark and groundbreaking British TV docuseries.
The “Up” series of films launched in 1964 with “7 Up,” capturing the lives of 10 boys and four girls in England all aged of seven at the time. Cameras then revisited the group every seven years to chart their journey from childhood to teenagers, to adulthood, through careers, marriage, divorce, parenting, bereavement and more.
Nine episodes have been made so far, with noted director Michael Apted having directed all but the very first. Following Apted’s passing in 2021, Oscar-winning documentarian Kapadia — best known for “Amy,” “Senna” and “Diego Maradona” — is taking over the reins for the final two-part instalment, “70 Up” for ITV (which has aired all but one episode in 1988). As per the description, the films will catch up with the participants as pensioners and retirees as they “reflect on their triumphs, their trials and tribulations, and what happened to their hopes and dreams.”
“In 2014 I named the ‘Up’ series as my favourite documentary of all time. Who knew that two decades later I would have the incredible honour and privilege to be asked to direct ’70 Up,’ the legendary documentary series,” said Kapadia. “I love the show! I have watched it all my life, first as a child with my parents and siblings, growing up in East London and then as an adult.”
Kapadia noted that he had been lucky enough to meet Apted on several occasions, first when he was interviewed about “Senna.”
“He liked the fact I directed drama and documentaries, like him,” he said. “Directing ’70 Up’ has been a dream project for me, the ultimate portrait of human life, working with my amazing editors Andrew Hulme and Patrick Saxer, we had the challenge of cutting hours of archive material shot over decades, while also looking at the nature of documentary filmmaking itself. I hope the audience feel my team and I have done the epic series justice with the closing chapter.”
Alongside Kapadia and his producer George Chignell will be production executive Helen Houston and Claire Lewis, the careful custodian and producer of the casts’ stories since “28 Up.” The series is due to air later in 2026.
“70 Up” has been commissioned by Sue Murphy, head of factual entertainment commissioning ITV and Jo Clinton-Davis, controller of Factual ITV. It will be produced by MultiStory Media, part of ITV Studios, in association with Lafcadia Productions. ITV Studios will also handle distribution globally, excluding North America.
