Asif Kapadia Takes Helm for Final Installment of ITV's Groundbreaking Up Documentary Series
Renowned filmmaker Asif Kapadia has been entrusted with directing 70 Up, the concluding chapter of ITV's profoundly influential documentary series that has captivated audiences for decades. Kapadia, celebrated for his intimate portraits of figures like Amy Winehouse and Diego Maradona, described this appointment as an "incredible honour and privilege", stepping into the role following the passing of the series' longtime director, Michael Apted, in 2021.
A Cultural Landmark Reaches Its Climax
The Up series, which debuted in 1964 and was recently voted the most influential UK TV show of the last 50 years in a 2024 Broadcasting Press Guild poll, has uniquely chronicled the lives of a group of individuals at seven-year intervals. From childhood through adulthood, it now approaches its final check-in as participants near old age. Kapadia expressed deep reverence for the project, calling the original series "the ultimate portrait of human life" and his personal favourite documentary of all time.
Jo Clinton-Davis, ITV's controller of factual and the commissioner for 70 Up, praised the series as a landmark in filmmaking that has woven itself into the cultural fabric. She emphasized that Kapadia's passion, creativity, and flair will safeguard the precious Up legacy while paying tribute to Apted's vision. "Ultimately, this is a tribute to the courage of all the cast who continue to share their lives with us so we can see our lives in them," she stated.
The Evolution of a Television Phenomenon
Initially conceived as a one-off snapshot of the British class system, the program was created by Tim Hewat, founding editor of Granada's World in Action. Inspired by the Jesuit saying, "Give me the child until he is seven and I will show you the man," the first 40-minute film featured 14 seven-year-olds from diverse backgrounds. Michael Apted served as a researcher for that inaugural episode, scouting children across the class spectrum.
As the series evolved into a recurring phenomenon, viewers witnessed the unfolding lives of these participants. Notable among them was Neil Hughes from Liverpool, who at age seven aspired to be an astronaut. His journey, marked by periods of depression, homelessness, and destitution, later saw him become a lay preacher and Liberal Democrat councillor. Hughes once reflected that the Up series represented Apted's "interpretation" of his life.
- Remarkably, only one participant, Charles Furneaux, chose to exit the experiment early, though some have opted out of certain installments.
- Nick Hitchon, a Yorkshire farmer's son who rose to become a respected scientist, was a consistent participant until his death in 2023.
- The series' enduring impact was underscored by its top ranking in the 2024 list of influential shows, as determined by leading TV writers.
Apted's Vision Lives On
In a 2012 interview with the Guardian, Michael Apted envisioned the series continuing "as long as I'm above ground", humorously suggesting that someone else might take over if he weren't. That prediction has now materialized with Kapadia at the helm to conclude this extraordinary narrative. The final installment, set to air this year, promises to honor Apted's legacy while bringing closure to a documentary journey that has profoundly reflected human experience across generations.
