The fate of the Up documentary series, one of British cinema’s most celebrated achievements, has been secured with the announcement of a grand finale: 70 Up, directed by acclaimed documentarian Asif Kapadia.
When Michael Apted, who directed every installment since 1970’s 7 Plus Seven through 2019’s 63 Up, passed away in 2021, concerns arose that the series might end prematurely. However, the Guardian has confirmed that 70 Up will serve as the series’ concluding chapter, with Kapadia at the helm.
The Up series began in 1964 with Seven Up!, directed by Paul Almond and researched by Apted. It has since followed the lives of 14 British children at seven-year intervals, documenting their personal and societal evolution over 56 years. The project has been hailed as one of the most influential British TV programs ever, offering an unparalleled time capsule of human ambition, class, and change.
While the series has enjoyed widespread acclaim, not all participants have embraced the process. Only one subject, Charles Furneaux—who later became a documentarian himself—opted out entirely. Two others have since passed away, with 70 Up expected to include updates on their families.
Kapadia, known for his work on Diego Maradona (2019) and Federer: Twelve Final Days (2024), described the Up series as “the ultimate portrait of human life” and called it his favorite documentary of all time. His selection to direct 70 Up marks a generational shift, as he is 15 years younger than the series’ participants—a notable contrast to Apted, who was older than them when he took over.
Up began as a study of class in Britain but evolved into a profound exploration of human aspiration and resilience. With 70 Up, the series will conclude a journey that has spanned more than half a century, leaving behind one of the most enduring legacies in documentary filmmaking.
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