ITV is preparing to close one of television's longest-running documentary projects with two feature-length episodes of 70 Up, the tenth and final chapter of the landmark Up series that has followed the same group of Britons since 1964.
The broadcaster has confirmed that 70 Up will conclude the series, with the finale (2 x 90 minutes) directed by Oscar-winning film-maker Asif Kapadia and airing on ITV1 and ITVX later in 2026, though an exact date has yet to be announced.
Alongside the finale, ITV will also air two additional companion programmes, also directed by Kapadia, drawing on original participants and rediscovered archive footage of 70-year-olds filmed in earlier decades, including people born in the Victorian era.
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The Up series began with 7 Up in 1964, following 14 seven-year-old children from a range of backgrounds and returning to them roughly every seven years to see how their lives had unfolded against their childhood hopes.
The format became a touchstone of British factual television, revisiting its contributors across more than six decades.
Kapadia took on the project following the death of Michael Apted, the director who had helmed the series for most of its run and who had long hoped to reach a 70 Up instalment himself.
Kapadia has described the material, drawn from hours of footage shot across the participants' lives, as his favourite documentary of all time.
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By the time of this final chapter, two of the original 14 participants have died: Lynn Johnson and Nick Hitchon. Coverage indicates that Charles Furneaux is returning for the finale, having not taken part since 21 Up.
Other contributors named in reporting on the final chapter include Sue Davis, Bruce Balden, Tony Walker, Jackie Bassett, John Brisby, Andrew Brackfield, Suzy Lusk, Paul Kligerman, Symon Basterfield, Neil Hughes and Peter Davies.
ITV's director of factual, Jo Clinton-Davis, has confirmed the series will conclude with 70 Up in 2026, framing it as an epic and moving end to a television landmark.
70 Up is coming soon to ITV1 and ITVX.
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