What's Happening?
Two previously lost episodes of the iconic British sci-fi series 'Doctor Who' from the 1960s have been discovered and restored by BBC archivists. The episodes, titled 'The Nightmare Begins' and 'Devil’s Planet,' were found among the possessions of a deceased
collector. These episodes are part of the third series, 'The Daleks’ Master Plan,' and feature William Hartnell as the Doctor. The discovery was made by Film is Fabulous!, a charity dedicated to preserving cinema and television history. The episodes will be available for streaming on BBC iPlayer next month, marking a significant find in the ongoing search for lost 'Doctor Who' episodes. Despite this discovery, 95 episodes remain missing from the series' early years.
Why It's Important?
The recovery of these episodes is significant for 'Doctor Who' fans and television historians alike. 'Doctor Who' is a cultural phenomenon with a global fanbase, and the loss of early episodes has been a long-standing issue due to the BBC's past practices of erasing tapes. The restoration of these episodes not only enriches the show's historical archive but also provides fans with a more complete understanding of the series' early narrative arcs. This discovery highlights the importance of media preservation and the potential for more lost episodes to be found, offering hope to fans and historians that other missing pieces of television history might still be recovered.
What's Next?
The restored episodes will be released on BBC iPlayer, allowing fans to experience these lost stories in high quality. The discovery may prompt further searches for missing episodes, as Film is Fabulous! and other organizations continue to explore private collections and archives. The success of this restoration could encourage similar efforts for other lost media, potentially leading to more discoveries in the future. Additionally, the release of these episodes may spark renewed interest in 'Doctor Who,' potentially influencing future productions and adaptations of the series.
