What's Happening?
The BBC has announced the recovery and upcoming broadcast of two lost episodes of the iconic sci-fi series 'Doctor Who'. These episodes, titled 'The Nightmare Begins' and 'Devil's Planet', date back to 1965 and feature the first Doctor, played by William
Hartnell. They were discovered in a waterlogged collection donated to the charitable trust Film Is Fabulous by an anonymous collector's estate. Despite most of the collection being destroyed by water damage, these episodes remained intact. The showrunner, Russell T Davies, confirmed that the episodes will be available for free on the BBC iPlayer in April. This discovery is significant as many episodes from the 1960s and 1970s were lost due to the BBC's policy of destroying or reusing tapes.
Why It's Important?
The recovery of these episodes is a significant cultural event for 'Doctor Who' fans, often referred to as Whovians, as it restores a part of the show's early history that was thought to be lost forever. The episodes are a rare find, given the BBC's past practices of erasing tapes, which resulted in the loss of numerous episodes of popular shows. This discovery not only enriches the historical archive of 'Doctor Who' but also highlights the importance of preserving television history. The availability of these episodes on the BBC iPlayer will allow a new generation of fans to experience early 'Doctor Who' content, potentially increasing interest and viewership for the series.
What's Next?
While the episodes are set to air in the UK in April, there is no announced date for a U.S. release. However, the availability on BBC iPlayer may provide access to international audiences. The discovery has sparked hope among fans and archivists that more lost episodes might be found in the future. The charitable trust Film Is Fabulous, which played a key role in the recovery, may continue to receive donations of lost media, potentially leading to further discoveries. Additionally, the ongoing work by Russell T Davies on a new Christmas special indicates that 'Doctor Who' will continue to evolve and expand its legacy.
