The iconic documentary series Seven Up!, which has chronicled the lives of 14 individuals since they were seven years old, is airing its final installment, 70 Up. Sue Davis and Jackie Bassett, both 70, reflect on their experiences of growing up on screen, sharing insights into love, loss, and the societal changes they have witnessed.
Davis and Bassett were selected as children from a working-class East London school to participate in the Granada TV documentary. Michael Apted, who initially helped select the children, went on to direct the seven-yearly follow-ups until his death in 2021. The final film was directed by Asif Kapadia.
Reflecting on their childhoods, Davis noted the stark class differences present in the initial filming. "The more privileged boys in the first documentary talked about going to Charterhouse or Oxford, but people thought we’d just want to work in a shoe shop," she recalled. Bassett added that the show initially focused on class, with experiences like queuing outside a cinema as part of an experiment to observe behavior.
As young girls, Davis and Bassett, along with their inseparable friend Lynn Johnson, were described as "very cute." As the series progressed, their personalities evolved on screen. Davis described herself as more laid back, while Bassett was more inclined to challenge Apted. Lynn Johnson became more serious and thoughtful.
Apted's directorial focus also shifted. Davis recalled Apted frequently asking her about her marital status when she was just 21. Bassett noted that Apted would ask the boys about world affairs and politics, but the girls were primarily asked about relationships and family.
"I swore at him and walked off," Bassett said, recalling her frustration during the 21 Up filming in 1977. She felt Apted seemed out of touch with the changing world and the evolving roles of women. Davis, who became a university administrator, eventually married her second husband, Glenn, in 2020 after a 25-year engagement. Bassett, who moved to Scotland after her mother's death and worked as a secretary, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 40.
Both women experienced personal losses throughout the series' run. Davis and Bassett divorced their first husbands at 35 and a young age, respectively. They tragically lost their friend Lynn Johnson in 2013 after she passed away from a brain condition at the age of 56. Bassett also experienced the death of her former partner, Ian, in 2012, shortly after filming 56 Up, which had a significant impact on her eldest son.
Despite the challenges, Davis expressed pride in her achievements, particularly being the first in her family to own a home through the government's right-to-buy scheme. She also voiced concerns about the current education system, suggesting that the government is overlooking apprenticeships as a viable alternative to university. Bassett advised her granddaughter to pursue any career path she desires, emphasizing that "You can be anything."
The participants met screen stars during industry events. Bassett recalled meeting Mick Jagger, and Davis met Pierce Brosnan on the set of a Bond film directed by Apted.
Looking back, Davis and Bassett feel they have achieved more than was perhaps initially expected of them. "I think Sue and I have done pretty well for ourselves," Bassett stated. "Ironically, we had choices the boys didn’t have because their lives were already mapped out. I’d rather be in my position than theirs."
70 Up began airing on ITV on September 15.