Lost ‘Doctor Who’ Episodes From the 1960s Found and Restored

Two previously lost episodes of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, dating back to the 1960s, have been discovered and restored. The episodes were found among the possessions of a private collector and will be available for streaming next month, according to a report from the Associated Press.

Episodes Feature the First Doctor

The recovered episodes feature William Hartnell as the First Doctor, battling a Dalek plan to take over Earth, the solar system and the galaxy. The episodes are titled “The Nightmare Begins” (aired November 1965) and “Devil’s Planet” (aired two weeks later). They are part of the 12-part serial The Daleks’ Master Plan. The BBC News reports that the discovery means fans now have the first three installments of this storyline.

Discovery and Restoration

The episodes were located by the film charity Film Is Fabulous! in a collector’s “ramshackle” collection of vintage films. Peter Purves, who played the Doctor’s assistant Steven Taylor, was present for the viewing and expressed his excitement, stating, “My flabber has never been so gasted.” According to the BBC, restored versions of the episodes will be released on BBC iPlayer this Easter.

A History of Lost Episodes

Doctor Who has a history of missing episodes from its early years (1963-1989). This was due to the BBC’s practice of wiping tapes for reuse. As Wikipedia details, the series has aired 892 episodes (95 missing) across 319 stories since its debut in 1963. The episode “Day of Armageddon,” part of the same serial, was previously recovered in 2004.

The Whoniverse Continues

Doctor Who, created by Sydney Newman, C.E. Webber, and Donald Wilson, remains a popular science fiction series. Currently, Russell T Davies serves as a showrunner. The series is available on BBC One, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. The show’s enduring appeal has led to a vast “Whoniverse” of related content and a dedicated global fanbase.