The search for identity, a fundamental human need, is the central pillar of Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace, which returns for its seventh season on ITV1. Co-hosts Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell are back to guide foundlings through the emotionally charged process of looking for answers about their origins, using a mix of DNA science and on-the-ground investigative work.
The premiere episode presents two distinct but equally poignant cases. We meet Simon, who was discovered in a public toilet block in Wales back in 1966, and Lisa, left in a pram in England in 1970. Nearly six decades later, both are still without any information about their biological families or the reasons for their abandonment. Their stories underscore the lifelong impact of being left without a name, a history, or a connection to one’s roots.
The series has a well-established format, and this opening hour sticks to it, methodically piecing together fragmented histories through genealogical research and DNA database matches. The effectiveness of the show lies in its quiet, respectful observation of people facing deeply personal revelations. It documents the longing for closure that drives these searches and the profound effects of discovering one’s history, for better or worse.
For those who have followed the series, this is a continuation of its core mission. For newcomers, it’s a direct look at the power of modern science to answer questions that were once thought to be permanently lost to time.
Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace begins Wednesday, 18 June, 2025, at 9:00 PM on ITV1.
