A recent discovery by the charity Film is Fabulous! (FIF) has uncovered two long-lost episodes of the iconic sci-fi TV series, Doctor Who. These episodes, titled “The Nightmare Begins” and “Devil’s Planet,” were found in pristine condition among a collection of films in a garage. They feature the first incarnation of the Doctor, portrayed by William Hartnell, and were last aired in 1965.
The BBC has restored these episodes, set to be available for streaming next month, reducing the count of missing Doctor Who episodes to 95. FIF surprised actor Peter Purves, who played the Doctor’s companion Steven Taylor, with the episodes at a local theatre in Leicester, U.K.
Justin Smith, a cinema professor and FIF chair, discussed the discovery with host Nil Köksal on As It Happens. The recovered episodes were stored in poor conditions, but their labels remained clear and intact. The find holds significance for Doctor Who fans worldwide.
The episodes were screened for Purves, who was emotional and thrilled to see them after being lured under false pretenses. The missing episodes highlight a time when preserving television history was not a top priority due to cost constraints and the lack of foresight regarding the show’s future impact.
The episodes were found in the estate of a private collector with a diverse film collection, indicating a recognition of their value. The fortunate discovery has allowed the episodes to be returned to the BBC for preservation.