Can this really be the end of the Up series, for which every glowing endorsement, from “groundbreaking” to “event television”, rings true? When it came out in 1964, following the lives of 14 seven-year-olds, it was the first programme to interview just children and in 2024, it was voted the “programme that changed television the most” over the past 50 years by the Broadcasting Press Guild.
Following its subjects every seven years, Seven Up! was originally directed by Paul Almond before Michael Apted, a researcher for the first series, took over for 14 Up in 1970 and remained in post until his death, in 2021, after completing 63 Up. This final series has been made by the Bafta-winning director, Asif Kapadia.
Love is a golden seam that runs through it all, perfectly reflected in the story of Neil, that charming little boy who captivated our hearts with his dreams of becoming an astronaut, but after “a nervous complaint” and dropping out of university, ended up homeless. He then went on to amaze us all by becoming a Liberal Democrat councillor (helped and befriended by fellow-Upper Bruce), then a lay preacher, whose home is now in France.
Now, it feels like saying goodbye to dear old friends. Philip Larkin’s famous conclusion from An Arundel Tomb comes to mind as we bid a farewell to Sue and Jackie, Tony, Suzy, Bruce, Peter, Paul, Symon, Andrew, John and Neil: “What will survive of us is love.”
SUE has always loved singing and theatre and worked as a university administrator. She was picked for the original programme with her two working-class best friends, Jackie and Lynn, who died in 2013.
“The saddest moment was the first time Jackie and I were interviewed after we lost Lynn; although we’ve always done our individual bits, we’ve always done us three girls together. And it felt, like... the empty chair.
“Sometimes it amazes me that people watch it because it’s just me being me – I’m not anything special, I’ve not done anything special. This is what’s made me special, if anything! The fact that I’ve taken part in this wonderful series is what I’m very proud of.”
JACKIE gave Apted a hard time for not choosing more women and asking sexist and class-centric questions of Sue, Lynn and herself. She was adamant that she would not marry and have children, but did both.
“There were occasions when I clashed with Michael, but he opened up a world that I would never have been in otherwise. Once he’d got over the fact that we were working class, he always treated us well and he was a man of integrity. He invited us all to his premieres and he had a few in London, so we went to those.
“I didn’t watch me [giving Michael hell, at 49] because I don’t watch my own pieces. Dame Judi Dench put it best – she thinks she’s a tall, willowy blonde on the TV and then she looks at it and sees a small, dumpy girl.
“It’s wonderful that it’s ending – but also terrible. I don’t want to be walking around on a Zimmer frame or have the nurses come in to change my nappy, so I think this should be the last one. I did cry because it’s the end of an era.”
TONY was selected as a boy from the East End. Apted believed that, because of his background, he could become a criminal. In fact he was an apprentice jockey and film extra before training as a London black cab driver.
“My mum was especially proud of this, and would go to the butchers and say, ‘Hello Ted, did you see my son on the telly?’ When we started there was only three channels and the nation took us to their hearts.
“I feel very sad about this coming to an end – I want to carry on, not because I’m conceited or flamboyant in any way, shape or form – but it is my life and I’ve lived this programme.”
SUZY was seen in the first series as an upper-middle-class girl from landed gentry. At 22, she married Rupert and they are still together after 48 years. Suzy worked as a bereavement counsellor.
“What I always found difficult was that I was the only woman on my own and that I was being slightly got at. It’s quite hard when your life is being looked over, with a million people scrutinising you.
“At 70, I’m lucky I’m still here. I’ve learnt things along the road and at this stage of my life, I’m happy within my own skin, I’ve come to terms with an awful lot and I can package it up now and just look back on it. I think we’ll all need a stiff drink at the end!”
BRUCE was sent to boarding school from the age of six and aged seven, wanted to be a missionary. He became a teacher at an inner-city comprehensive and worked in India before finishing his career at a private school. He volunteers for the RNLI.
“Neil lived with me for a little while by accident. For 28-Up there was a dinner; Neil appeared at the last minute, not having said that he would be there and there was nowhere for him to stay. So, he stayed on my spare bed. I said that if he was ever down this way again, I’d rather he slept on my spare bed than underneath the arches of Waterloo Bridge.
“He’s moved to France, so now we’re out of touch. But we’re always pleased to see each other and we’ll have a good chat and catch up. I do feel proud of the series and it’s been a great thing to be a part of – it’s bittersweet that it’s coming to an end.”
Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google.
"They've been in my life for 40 year, they're family"
It wasn’t until I sat through the first cut of one of the first programmes in the new series that it hit me and I literally wept buckets. I wept and wept. The director, Asif Kapadia, came over and held my hand and asked, “Is it all right?” And I said, “It’s more than all right, it’s 42 years of my life.”
Michael and I knew each other incredibly well, having worked together for 40 years and having been real friends and soulmates. As the series went on and he realised how close some of the families were to each other, it made him more aware of where he felt his deficiencies were as a father.
I think it’s absolutely right to finish now. It’s a perfect ending and has a beautiful symmetry - 7 to 70. We all felt we didn’t want to show people dropping dead - suddenly there were two, suddenly there was one. No one wanted that, so we felt that this had to be the last series. Suzy said that when I talked to her four years ago, “I think we should close the book.”
The latest issue of Radio Times is out on Tuesday – subscribe here.
Check out more of our Documentaries coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast
Hence then, the article about 70 up stars reflect on the end of their emotional journey for groundbreaking documentary s finale was published today ( ) and is available on Radio Times ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 70 Up stars reflect on the end of their emotional journey for groundbreaking documentary's finale )
Also on site :
- This Airline Just Upgraded Premium Economy With Full Privacy Screens, Electric Recline, and Wireless Charging
- France Launches Global Initiatives to Support Independent Cinema and Establish Framework for Alliance of State Film Commissions: Lumiere Summit
- Nuclear-capable warship that capsized when launched finally joins North Korea’s fleet