Lost Doctor Who Episodes Resurface, Set for April Release

Two previously lost episodes of Doctor Who, unseen since their original broadcasts in the 1960s, have been discovered in a cardboard box belonging to a deceased film collector. The episodes, which were found by the charitable trust Film is Fabulous! in Leicester, are set to be made available on BBC iPlayer on April 4, 2024.

The recovered episodes feature the first incarnation of the Time Lord, portrayed by William Hartnell. The plot revolves around a Dalek plan to conquer Earth and the galaxy, a storyline that has only been shown previously in the UK. The first episode, titled The Nightmare Begins, aired in November 1965, followed by the second episode, Devil’s Planet, just two weeks later.

Significance of the Discovery

The film cans, wrapped in plastic bags, were located among the vintage film collection of the late aficionado. Justin Smith, a professor of cinema and television history at De Montfort University and chair of trustees for Film is Fabulous!, emphasized the importance of this discovery. He stated, “The main broadcasters in the UK in the 1960s, 70s, up to the 80s really junked quite a lot of content.” He further noted that “finding missing Doctor Whos is the holy grail of classic TV discoveries.”

The return of these episodes is particularly poignant for fans, given that 95 episodes from the long-running series, which debuted in 1963, remain missing. This marks the first significant find of lost episodes since 2013, when nine episodes were discovered in the storeroom of a television relay station in Nigeria.

A Special Screening and Future Prospects

A special screening of the two recovered episodes will take place in London on the same day they become available on iPlayer, featuring guest of honour Peter Purves, who portrayed the Doctor’s assistant, Steven Taylor. Purves expressed his excitement, stating, “My flabber has never been so gasted.” At 87, he reflected on the significance of the find, saying, “Twenty-seven of mine still are missing, but I’m delighted that two have been found. It’s rather sad, but it’s great when some turn up.”

Smith remains optimistic about the possibility of more lost episodes being discovered. “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. But, yeah, I think there are more. The only question is when and where they will come to light,” he remarked.

The director of BBC Archives, Noreen Adams, stated that the organization has been working diligently to restore the original recordings, ensuring fans have a high-quality viewing experience. “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,” she noted.

“Finding missing Doctor Whos is the holy grail of classic TV discoveries.”

As Doctor Who continues to capture the hearts of audiences worldwide, it remains a significant part of television history. The series originally ran from 1963 to 1989 and was revived in 2005, with the latest series featuring Ncuti Gatwa as the protagonist airing in 2025. A special episode written by Russell T Davies is scheduled for release during the Christmas season, introducing yet another actor in the iconic role. Fans eagerly anticipate what else may be uncovered from the storied past of this beloved series.