The Future with Hannah Fry · Series 1 · Episode 1
The Future with Hannah Fry, The 150-Year Life: what the evidence says about longevity
What the episode covers, where longevity stands on the 311 Starburst and what leaders should take from it.
What it covers
About the episode
Hannah Fry travels from California to Japan to look at the science and business of living much longer, and at the people testing age-defying techniques on themselves.
- Broadcaster
- Bloomberg Originals; BBC Two and BBC iPlayer (UK, 2026)
- Made by
- Bloomberg Media with Windfall Films
- Distributed by
- TVF International
- Episode
- Series 1, episode 1
Official episode page (Bloomberg Originals; BBC Two and BBC iPlayer (UK, 2026)) · More about the series
What the evidence says
Where longevity stands in 2026
The 311 Starburst maps when each emerging technology and trend is expected to reach wide use. These are the entries that match this subject, with their status today.
- Technology · BiotechAnti-Ageing Drugs
Anti-ageing drugs are medicines meant to slow, stop or even reverse ageing in the body. Some are being tested, but none can yet stop ageing.
- Expected wide use
- 2048
- Status in 2026
- Watch
- Readiness
- TRL 5 of 9
- Technology · BiotechSenolytics
Senolytics are drugs that clear out old, worn-out cells that stop dividing. Scientists also study the signals these cells send, hoping to treat age-related disease.
- Expected wide use
- 2045
- Status in 2026
- Watch
- Readiness
- TRL 5 of 9
- Technology · BiotechRejuvenation
Rejuvenation means treatments that repair damage from ageing in cells. The aim is for tissues and organs to work like younger ones. Much of it is still experimental.
- Expected wide use
- 2045
- Status in 2026
- Watch
- Readiness
- TRL 4 of 9
- Technology · BiotechEpigenetic Ageing Clocks
Epigenetic ageing clocks are computer tools that guess how old your body is from tags on your DNA. They help test whether anti-ageing treatments work.
- Expected wide use
- 2032
- Status in 2026
- Explore
- Readiness
- TRL 8 of 9
- Trend · SocietalAgeing Population
- Expected wide use
- 2010
- Status in 2026
- Act now
- Trend · Workforce TrendsLonger Working Lives
- Expected wide use
- 2024
- Status in 2026
- Act now
Source: the 311 Starburst, researched by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (data built 2026-10-28). Status rings: Act now means wide use by 2027, Prepare 2028 to 2030, Explore 2031 to 2035, Watch 2036 or later. Explore the Starburst Centre.
311 analysis
What leaders should take from it
- Plan for longer working lives now: an ageing population and longer careers are already here, whatever happens to anti-ageing science.
- Treat anti-ageing drugs and rejuvenation as long-range options to watch, not products to plan around this decade.
- Ageing clocks and longevity data will reach insurers, employers and health services well before any proven therapy does, so set your data and ethics rules early.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
Next steps
Take this subject to your leadership team
A private briefing turns what is on screen into decisions for your organisation, in person first, anywhere in the world.
Answers
Common questions
Can we live to 150?
No therapy has been shown to extend the human lifespan that far. The 311 Starburst places anti-ageing drugs and rejuvenation in its Watch ring, with expected wide use well after 2040.
More episodes