Story perspectives

Lost Doctor Who Episodes Rediscovered, Screening Scheduled for April

3/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Two lost episodes of Doctor Who, "The Nightmare Begins" and "Devil's Planet," were rediscovered in a collection donated by a deceased film enthusiast.
This recovery is the first of missing episodes since 2013 and includes episodes from the "Daleks' Master Plan" arc.
The episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer starting April 4, 2024.
Film is Fabulous!, the charitable trust that found the episodes, highlighted their significance due to prior censorship concerns abroad.
A special screening will feature Peter Purves, the Doctor's companion, as the guest of honor.

History

Historical Context

Between 1967 and 1978, the BBC lost over 100 episodes of Doctor Who due to a policy of erasing older material. In October 2013, the BBC announced the recovery of nine missing episodes, including "The Enemy of the World," from Nigeria, marking a significant milestone in media preservation. This recovery underscores ongoing efforts to combat cultural loss and ensure access to iconic television history.

1 of 2

Story summary

Two lost episodes of Doctor Who, "The Nightmare Begins" and "Devil's Planet," were rediscovered in a collection donated by a deceased film enthusiast.
This recovery is the first of missing episodes since 2013 and includes episodes from the "Daleks' Master Plan" arc.
The episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer starting April 4, 2024.
Film is Fabulous!, the charitable trust that found the episodes, highlighted their significance due to prior censorship concerns abroad.
A special screening will feature Peter Purves, the Doctor's companion, as the guest of honor.

1 / 2