A lost piece of television history has resurfaced, sending ripples of excitement through the devoted fanbase of Doctor Who. Two episodes, thought vanished forever, have been miraculously recovered after decades hidden from view.
These aren’t just any episodes; they feature the very first appearance of William Hartnell as the iconic Doctor, alongside companion Steven Taylor, in the 1965 story arc that introduced a terrifying new threat – the Daleks. “The Nightmare Begins” and “Devil’s Planet” were pivotal in establishing the show’s enduring mythology.
The discovery unfolded in an unexpected place: a simple cardboard box. The charitable trust Film is Fabulous! unearthed the vintage films within a “ramshackle” collection, a treasure trove of forgotten media. The episodes were only broadcast once in the UK, making their survival all the more remarkable.
Peter Purves, now 87 and the actor who played Steven Taylor, was visibly moved by the revelation. Invited to witness the restored footage, he famously declared his astonishment, stating he’d “never been so gasted.” The images, though familiar in story, were strikingly new to him.
The recovery wasn’t easy. The films had suffered from years of neglect, bearing the scars of water damage and corroded storage cans. Dedicated archivists are meticulously restoring the original 16mm telerecordings, preparing them for a new generation of viewers.
This find represents the most significant recovery of Doctor Who episodes in over a decade. The last major breakthrough came in 2013, when nine missing installments were located in the archives of a Nigerian television station.
Despite this triumph, the search continues. Over 90 episodes of Classic Who remain lost, scattered to the winds of time. Each recovered segment is a victory, a piece of the puzzle restored to its rightful place.
The story of how the collector acquired these episodes remains a mystery, lost to the past. What is known is that he recognized their value, even if the full significance wasn’t immediately apparent. He safeguarded a piece of British cultural heritage.
The BBC has been actively preserving Classic Who, making the vast majority of the existing episodes available for streaming. They’ve even embarked on a groundbreaking project to colorize classic stories, breathing new life into these vintage adventures.
From its original run from 1963 to 1989, through its 2005 reboot and the recent adventures of Ncuti Gatwa, Doctor Who continues to captivate audiences. These rediscovered episodes offer a unique glimpse into the show’s origins, a thrilling connection to its rich and enduring legacy.
Fans can now experience “The Nightmare Begins” and “Devil’s Planet,” a remarkable resurrection of a forgotten era in the Whoniverse.
