LONDON (AP) — For over 60 years, “Doctor Who” has taken fans on wild adventures across time and space. However, many of its early episodes went missing due to careless decisions at the BBC.
Recently, a film charity announced the exciting discovery of two lost episodes from the 1960s. These episodes were found in film cans among the belongings of a collector who passed away. Thanks to BBC archivists, the episodes have been restored and will be available on the BBC’s streaming platform next month.
Despite this discovery, 95 episodes from the show still remain lost. “Doctor Who” first aired in 1963, and its journey has captivated millions around the world. Initially, the BBC didn’t treat the show with much care. Many episodes were discarded as the broadcaster reused tapes and recordings.
Justin Smith, a cinema professor at De Montfort University and chair of Film is Fabulous!, shared insights on the loss. “The main broadcasters in the U.K. from the 1960s to the 1980s were quite careless with their archives,” he said. “Finding lost ‘Doctor Who’ episodes is like locating a holy grail in classic television.”
The rediscovered episodes, titled “The Nightmare Begins” and “Devil’s Planet,” originally aired during the show’s third series in 1965. William Hartnell, the first actor to embody the Doctor, stars alongside the Daleks—those iconic foes known for their chilling catchphrase, “Exterminate!”
Peter Purves, who played the Doctor’s companion Steven Taylor, expressed joy over the find despite still having 27 missing episodes himself. At 87, he remarked to the BBC, “It’s wonderful when some turn up, even if it’s bittersweet.”
This rediscovery is particularly significant as it marks the first recovery of “Doctor Who” episodes since 2013, when nine episodes were found in Nigeria. There’s hope that more might still be hidden away. Smith noted, “We know there are other episodes out there; we just don’t know where.”
“Doctor Who” first aired in 1963 and ran until 1989 before being rebooted in 2005. Its unique premise allows the Doctor, a Time Lord from Gallifrey, to travel anywhere in time and space, and even regenerate into new forms. This flexibility has helped the show endure over the decades.
The latest series, featuring Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor, aired in 2025. Fans are eagerly awaiting the next installment, with yet another actor set to take on the iconic role.
With its blend of adventure, humor, and heart, “Doctor Who” continues to be a beloved part of television history, embodying the spirit of exploration and imagination. For fans, each new discovery adds to the magic of this timeless series.
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