Rediscover lost Doctor Who history. Two long-missing William Hartnell episodes, found and restored, are now streaming on BBC. The Daleks return in this rare ...
- April 19, 2026
AceShowbiz - Doctor Who fans have a reason to celebrate as two long-lost episodes from the show’s early years are set to be added to the BBC streaming service. These episodes, believed destroyed for decades, have recently been found and restored, marking a significant recovery for the iconic British sci-fi series.
The recovered episodes are from the show’s third season and include "The Nightmare Begins" and "Devil's Planet". Both feature the original Doctor, William Hartnell, and his famous adversaries, the Daleks. Their rediscovery comes from an anonymous benefactor’s estate, as reported by the Associated Press, offering fans a rare glimpse into the early days of the series.
Despite this exciting find, there are still 95 episodes of Doctor Who that remain lost. The reason for so many missing episodes dates back to a time before digital storage. The BBC, being government-funded, reused old tapes to save costs. This practice led to many classic programs, including numerous Doctor Who episodes, being recorded over and lost forever.
De Montfort University professor Justin Smith explained to the Associated Press, "The main broadcasters in the U.K. in the 1960s, '70s, up to the '80s really, junked quite a lot of content." He further noted that finding missing Doctor Who episodes is considered "the holy grail." This puts into perspective the rarity and significance of the recent recovery.
While the BBC’s tape reuse practice was practical at the time, it unintentionally erased parts of television history. The return of these episodes not only enriches the Doctor Who archive but also reignites interest in the show’s early legacy. Fans will soon be able to stream these episodes and experience original adventures that had been lost for decades.
As technology advances, the hope remains that more missing episodes might resurface, allowing new generations to enjoy the early stories of the Doctor and his iconic foes. For now, the arrival of "The Nightmare Begins" and "Devil's Planet" on the BBC streaming platform is a thrilling development for the show's devoted audience.
