One of Britain’s longest-running documentary series is coming to an emotional end after more than six decades on screen.
ITV’s Up series, which began in 1964 as 7 Up, has followed the lives of 14 British children from the age of seven, revisiting them every seven years as they navigated the changing landscape of life.
The participants, now 70 years old, will appear in the final chapter, 70 Up, which airs tonight in the first of two 90-minute episodes.
The series has become a cornerstone of British documentary filmmaking, offering an intimate and evolving portrait of ordinary lives over extraordinary times.
ITV's Up series finale to feature tribute to former star
The final instalment will feature one of the most emotional moments of the entire series, with the return of Nick Hitchon, the son of a farmer who became a university professor and expert in nuclear fusion.
Mr Hitchon, who died in 2023 at the age of 65 after being diagnosed with throat cancer, appears in 70 Up just days before his death in a deeply moving interview.
It is said to be one of the show's most emotional moments.
Suzy Dewey, a fellow participant who appeared alongside Mr Hitchon in the series, paid tribute to her late friend during an appearance on Good Morning Britain.
Appearing on the show today (September 15), Ms Dewey said: "For the first time, I will watch it.
"I think I’ve got to.
"I’ll find it hard.
"It is the final chapter, and with Nick now, because he was the one I filmed with at 56, one of the missing pieces, he was an extraordinary person and I feel for him that I’ve just got to do it."
The series will also check in with other original cast members, including Tony, the former hopeful jockey who became a London cab driver; and Sue, who spent decades working at Queen Mary University of London.
We will also catch up with Peter, who has continued to pursue his passion for music; KC John, who aspired to a powerful career; and Andrew, the prep school pupil who famously read the Financial Times as a child.
Jo Clinton-Davis, controller of factual at ITV and commissioner of 70 Up, said: "The 7 Up story is much more than a TV documentary, it’s a document of our times.
"A truly distinctive landmark piece of film-making that has become part of our cultural fabric.
"In the evolving stories of our cast we see the universal themes of life play out.
"It is the series that made me want to get into television."
The late Michael Apted directed every instalment from 7 Plus Seven onwards until his death in 2021.
Asif Kapadia, who now takes the helm for the final episode, said: "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.
"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."
How many episodes of 7Up are there?
There are 10 main documentary films in the Up series, each following the children at different ages:
- Seven Up! (1964) - Age 7
- 7 Plus Seven (1970) - Age 14
- 21 Up (1977) - Age 21
- 28 Up (1984) - Age 28
- 35 Up (1991) - Age 35
- 42 Up (1998) - Age 42
- 49 Up (2005) - Age 49
- 56 Up (2012) - Age 56
- 63 Up (2019) - Age 63
- 70 Up (2026) - Age 70 (Final chapter)
Two additional shows to release to mark the end of ITV's Up series
ITV has also announced two companion programmes to mark the end of the series.
The first, 7 Up: The Story, will revisit the origins of the documentary, exploring its creation in the 1960s and the social context of the time.
The second, 70 Up: The Victorians, will feature remastered interviews with people born during the Victorian era who reached the age of 70 around the time the original series began.
These interviews, uncovered by MultiStory Media’s archive team, will be set alongside the reflections of current participants such as Andrew, Jackie, and Bruce.
The special will explore the hopes, fears, and daily lives of two generations who reached the same age in dramatically different eras.
Both companion programmes are intended to provide context and closure to a series that has deeply resonated with audiences for more than 60 years.
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When are the 70 Up episodes airing on ITV?
70 Up will air on ITV and ITVX at 9 pm on Tuesday, September 15.
The second part will air one week later.
Teasing the finale, ITV said: "For over six decades, one groundbreaking documentary has followed their lives since they were just 7 years old...
"From childhood to adulthood, 70 Up reunites us for one final reflection on life, love, family and the passing of time."
Will you be watching the finale of the Up series on ITV? Let us know in the comments.
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