Classic Doctor Who lost episodes found at last after 60 years - and they will be available to watch in mere weeks
The episodes are both from the season 3 serial The Daleks' Master Plan.
In major news for Doctor Who fans, two of the sci-fi show's long missing episodes have just been uncovered, found in a deceased enthusiast's private collection.
The episodes, both of which star William Hartnell as the First Doctor, were recovered by Film is Fabulous!, a charitable trust run by film collectors, cinema lovers, and vintage television enthusiasts.
The primary objective of Film is Fabulous! is to ensure that vulnerable film collections held in the UK are preserved, when private film collectors and former industry professionals pass away, and since 2023, the team have preserved many private film collections.
The two episodes which have been newly found are The Nightmare Begins, which was broadcast on 13 November 1965, and Devil’s Planet, which was broadcast on 27 November 1965. The estate of the deceased owner wishes that he remains anonymous.
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Both of these episodes were from the season 3 serial The Daleks’ Master Plan, written by Terry Nation, which also starred Peter Purves as Steven Taylor, Nicholas Courtney as Bret Vyon, Adrienne Hill as Katarina and Kevin Stoney as Mavic Chen.
The recovery of these episodes reduces the number of missing instalments to 95, and means that the first three instalments of a once totally missing 12-part story now exist.
The two episodes will be screened at an upcoming special event, taking place on Saturday 4 April, with full details to be published shortly.
Meanwhile, Film is Fabulous! have collaborated with BBC Archives to ensure that the original 16mm telerecordings are restored, meaning viewers will be able to watch them in the best possible condition on BBC iPlayer soon.
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The synopsis for The Nightmare Begins says: "The TARDIS lands on the planet Kembel and the Doctor goes to find help for his injured companion, Steven. He discovers that the Daleks are on Kembel and, together with the Guardian of the Solar System, Mavic Chen, are planning to conquer Earth."
Meanwhile, the synopsis for Devil's Planet reads: "Having stolen the vital taranium core from the Daleks, the Doctor and his companions have escaped the planet Kembel in Mavic Chen’s spaceship. However, the Daleks immediately pursue them to Desperus, the penal planet, where mortal danger abounds."
Doctor Who will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Christmas.
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
