Asif Kapadia to Direct Final ‘70 Up’ Docuseries Chapter
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- Asif Kapadia will direct the final two-part installment “70 Up” of the British “Up” docuseries, slated to air later in 2026 on ITV.
- The “Up” series began in 1964 with “7 Up,” following 10 boys and four girls every seven years, producing nine episodes to date.
- Michael Apted directed all “Up” episodes except the first; he died in 2021, leaving the series without its long‑time director.
- Kapadia—known for “Amy,” “Senna,” and “Diego Maradona”—said directing “70 Up” is a dream project and highlighted the challenge of editing decades of archive footage.
- Claire Lewis will serve as custodian of the cast’s stories since “28 Up,” working alongside producer George Chignell and production executive Helen Houston.
- Sue Murphy, head of factual entertainment commissioning at ITV, along with Jo Clinton‑Davis, commissioned “70 Up,” produced by MultiStory Media and Lafcadia Productions, with ITV Studios handling global distribution outside North America.
Why it matters: Fans and scholars gain a rare, updated portrait of the original cohort as they reach retirement, while ITV secures a high‑profile finale that reinforces its factual‑entertainment brand. Kapadia’s involvement adds his acclaimed documentary experience, known from “Amy,” “Senna,” and “Diego Maradona,” to the series.
