Long-lost Doctor Who Episodes Unearthed After Six Decades

Doctor Who has captivated audiences since its launch in 1963, chronicling the adventures of a humanoid alien known as The Doctor, who journeys through time and space in a blue police box that’s larger on the inside. Given its long history, it’s no surprise that some of the earlier episodes have been lost over the years.

Recently, a treasure trove from what has been described as a collector’s “ramshackle collection of vintage films” has unearthed two previously unseen episodes of this iconic British sci-fi series. These episodes, which haven’t aired since their original broadcasts in the 1960s, feature the first incarnation of The Doctor, played by William Hartnell, in a storyline deemed “too violent” for international audiences.

“The Nightmare Begins” and “Devil’s Planet” are the opening episodes of a 12-part saga known as The Daleks’ Master Plan, the longest continuous storyline in the series. “The Nightmare Begins” first aired in November 1965, followed by “Devil’s Planet” two weeks later. Notably, the episode that aired between these two, titled “Day of Armageddon,” was discovered back in 2004.

These episodes came to light thanks to a late anonymous collector, whose films were donated to the Leicester charitable trust, Film is Fabulous (FIF), after his passing. FIF is renowned for its efforts in curating and recovering lost film and television content for future generations. While sifting through the collector’s collection, much of which was described as “water-damaged” and “corroded,” the Doctor Who episodes were found to be in remarkably good condition.

“The collector did recognize what he had, but how he acquired them has been lost to time,” said Justin Smith, chair of trustees at FIF.

With these finds, fans can finally experience the early episodes of this intense storyline. Penned by Terry Nation, the creator of the Doctor’s most formidable foes, the Daleks, the plot follows The Doctor and his companion, Steven Taylor (Peter Purves), as they confront the bin-shaped warmongers intent on conquering the solar system and unraveling the very fabric of time.

Despite the excitement surrounding these new episodes, the arc remains incomplete. However, with the current state of Doctor Who in a peculiar transition regarding the next Doctor, it’s a perfect moment for fans to dive into Classic Who, a term that refers to episodes produced before the 2005 reboot.

For those eager to see the two episodes on the big screen, a special screening hosted by FIF, featuring Peter Purves as the guest of honor, is set to take place in London on April 4. The episodes will also be available on BBC iPlayer.

Noreen Adams, director of BBC Archives, remarked: “BBC Archives has been working to restore the original recordings and update these to broadcast quality, ensuring fans can enjoy a little extra treat with their Easter Eggs this April.”

It remains uncertain whether international viewers will have access to these new Classic Who episodes through subscription services like BritBox.