ITV’s 7 Up Series to End in 2026 After 62 Years with Final Film 70 Up

Key facts

• The Up series began in 1964 with 7 Up, following ten boys and four girls in England.
• The final film, 70 Up, will air on ITV in 2026, 62 years after the first installment.
• Michael Apted directed all films except the first; he died in 2021 at age 79.
• Asif Kapadia directs 70 Up, the first film without Apted.
• 42 Up was the only installment broadcast on BBC One; all others aired on ITV.
• Participants include Tony (cab driver), Neil (aspiring astronaut), Sue (Queen Mary University), and Andrew (prep school boy who read the FT).
• The late Lynn and Nick (nuclear physicist) will be remembered in the final film.
• Jo Clinton-Davis, ITV controller of factual, commissioned 70 Up.

A 62-Year Project Reaches Its Final Chapter

The ITV documentary series that has tracked a group of English men and women every seven years since they were seven will conclude in 2026 with its tenth installment, 70 Up. The series, which began in 1964 with 7 Up, follows ten boys and four girls from diverse backgrounds, documenting their lives across more than six decades. For the broadcaster, the final film marks a deliberate ending rather than another seven-year return, turning a long-running factual project into a definitive conclusion.

The Final Film: 70 Up and Its Director

70 Up will be directed by Asif Kapadia, who takes over after the death of Michael Apted in 2021 at age 79. Apted directed every film after the first, which was helmed by Paul Almond. Kapadia, known for his documentary work, has expressed deep respect for the series and described the opportunity as a significant honor. The film will balance extensive archival footage with new interviews, exploring the nature of documentary filmmaking itself.

Participants Return for One Last Reflection

The final film will feature familiar faces from the series, including Tony, the 'cheeky chap' who wanted to be a jockey before becoming a London cab driver, and Neil, who once dreamed of being an astronaut. Sue will discuss marrying Glenn and her decades-long career at Queen Mary University of London, while Peter has more music news. KC John, who wanted a powerful career, and Andrew, the prep school boy who famously read the Financial Times, also return. Suzy, the young ballerina who hated her private school, will appear as well.

Remembering Those Who Have Died

The series will remember the late Lynn, part of the trio of friends, and include an interview with the late Nick, the farmer’s son who fulfilled his dream to become a nuclear physicist. Charles, who left the programme at 21, is also part of the broader story. These tributes underscore the series' ability to capture both the triumphs and the losses of its participants over a lifetime.

A Document of Its Times

Jo Clinton-Davis, ITV’s controller of factual and commissioner of 70 Up, said: 'The 7 Up story is much more than a TV documentary, it’s a document of our times.' The series has been produced by Granada Television for ITV, with all films except 42 Up airing on ITV; 42 Up was broadcast on BBC One. The project has become a landmark in factual programming, reflecting societal changes over decades.

The Legacy of Michael Apted

Michael Apted’s influence looms large over the series. He directed the majority of the installments, shaping its identity and approach. Clinton-Davis recognized the series as a testament to Apted’s lasting influence, ensuring his vision is celebrated through Kapadia’s direction. The final film carries the weight of being the first without Apted, adding a layer of poignancy to the conclusion.

What Comes Next: A Clean Ending

70 Up is set to air on ITV later in 2026, though an official broadcast date has yet to be confirmed. For viewers, the film represents the ending, not another pause. After 62 years, the series will conclude with a final record of what happened to the original participants, making the broadcast less like a reunion than a conclusion. The anticipation surrounding the series’ end has sparked widespread interest, prompting audiences to reflect on the long-running project.

The bottom line

• The Up series concludes after 62 years with 70 Up, airing on ITV in 2026.
• Asif Kapadia directs the final film, succeeding the late Michael Apted.
• The series began in 1964 with 14 seven-year-olds and followed them every seven years.
• Participants include Tony, Neil, Sue, Peter, Andrew, and Suzy, among others.
• The final film will remember deceased participants Lynn and Nick.
• ITV’s Jo Clinton-Davis calls the series 'a document of our times.'