For devotees of classic science fiction, a remarkable discovery has brought a piece of television history back to life. Two previously lost episodes of Doctor Who, dating back to 1965, have been recovered from a private collection and meticulously restored by the BBC. The find offers a rare glimpse into the show’s early years, featuring the First Doctor, played by William Hartnell, battling the iconic Daleks.
The episodes, “The Nightmare Begins” and “Devil’s Planet,” are part of “The Daleks’ Master Plan,” a twelve-part storyline considered the longest continuous arc in the show’s original run. Whereas one episode, “Day of Armageddon,” was previously recovered in 2004, the rediscovery of these two installments represents a significant victory for television preservation efforts. The recovered episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer next month, offering fans a chance to experience a piece of Doctor Who history that was thought lost forever.
The remarkable find was made possible by Film is Fabulous!, a charitable trust dedicated to preserving cinema and television history. The episodes were discovered amongst the possessions of a deceased collector, described as having a “ramshackle collection of vintage films.” Justin Smith, chair of trustees at Film is Fabulous! and a professor of cinema and television history at De Montfort University, explained the significance of the discovery. “The main broadcasters in the UK in the 1960s, 70s, up to the 80s really, junked quite a lot of content,” he told the Associated Press. “In some ways finding missing Doctor Whos is the holy grail of classic TV discoveries.”
The episodes were reportedly in surprisingly good condition, considering their age and the circumstances of their discovery. The collector, whose identity remains anonymous, apparently recognized the value of the films, though the details of how he acquired them remain a mystery. The BBC Archives undertook the painstaking process of restoring the original recordings to broadcast quality, ensuring fans can enjoy the episodes with optimal clarity. Noreen Adams, the director of BBC Archives, stated that the restoration operate will provide fans with “a little extra treat with their Easter eggs this April.”
A Glimpse into Early Doctor Who
These newly recovered episodes offer a unique window into the early days of Doctor Who, which debuted in 1963. The storyline centers around the First Doctor and his companions as they confront a Dalek plot to conquer Earth, the solar system and the galaxy. The episodes were originally aired in November and December 1965 and were considered “too violent” for international broadcast at the time, according to Polygon.
Peter Purves, who played the Doctor’s assistant Steven Taylor in 46 episodes of the show, was invited to a special screening of the restored episodes. His reaction was one of profound excitement. “My flabber has never been so gasted,” Purves, 87, reportedly said. He also noted that 27 of his own appearances on the show remain missing, but expressed delight at the recovery of these two episodes, telling the BBC, “It’s rather sad, but it’s great when some turn up.”
The Ongoing Search for Lost Episodes
The recovery of these episodes marks the first such discovery since 2013, when nine lost Doctor Who episodes were found in a television relay station in Nigeria. Despite these successes, a significant portion of the show’s early run remains missing. A total of 95 episodes from the original series are still unaccounted for, representing a continuing challenge for television archivists and fans alike.
Smith believes that more lost episodes are still out there. “We know that other episodes are in existence. We don’t know where they are or who’s got them – otherwise we’d be knocking on doors,” he said. “But, yeah, I think Notice more. The only question is when and where they will reach to light.”
A special screening of the restored episodes, hosted by Film Is Fabulous! with Peter Purves as a guest of honor, is scheduled for April 4th in London. The episodes will be simultaneously released on BBC iPlayer on the same day, offering a wider audience the opportunity to experience these rediscovered treasures.
Doctor Who has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence since its revival in 2005, with the most recent series starring Ncuti Gatwa airing in 2025. A special episode written by Russell T Davies is planned for Christmas, and the series is set to return with a new, currently undisclosed, lead actor. The ongoing popularity of the show underscores the enduring appeal of its unique blend of science fiction, adventure, and social commentary.
The recovery of these lost episodes serves as a potent reminder of the importance of television preservation and the dedication of organizations like Film is Fabulous! and the BBC Archives. As the search for remaining lost episodes continues, fans can gaze forward to the possibility of further discoveries that will enrich our understanding of this beloved and influential series.
What are your thoughts on the rediscovery of these lost Doctor Who episodes? Share your excitement and memories in the comments below!
