Whovians, mark your calendars — after more than a decade, the hunt for missing classic Doctor Who episodes has yielded another thrilling recovery!
In March 2026, the charitable trust Film is Fabulous! announced the discovery of two previously missing black-and-white episodes from the First Doctor’s era: “The Nightmare Begins” (Episode 1) and “Devil’s Planet” (Episode 3) of the epic 1965–66 serial The Daleks’ Master Plan.
These episodes, starring William Hartnell as the Doctor alongside companions Steven Taylor (Peter Purves) and Katarina (Adrienne Hill), had not been seen since their original broadcast in November 1965. They were found in a private collection belonging to a film enthusiast who had passed away — tucked away in a cardboard box among other vintage film reels.
Why This Matters
The Daleks’ Master Plan is one of the most ambitious stories of the classic era, featuring a massive Dalek invasion plot, time travel shenanigans, and appearances by the Meddling Monk. With only a handful of episodes surviving in the BBC archives until now, every recovery feels like uncovering buried treasure from the show’s earliest days.
This marks the first major recovery of missing Doctor Who episodes since 2013, when nine episodes were famously found in Nigeria. Thanks to the dedicated work of Film is Fabulous! (with involvement from veteran BBC archivist Sue Malden), these two episodes were restored and made available to the public.
Where to Watch
- In the UK: Stream on BBC iPlayer (released April 3, 2026).
- In the US and internationally: Available on the Doctor Who Classic YouTube channel.
Restored versions allow fans to experience these stories in better quality than ever before.
Hope for More Discoveries
With approximately 95 episodes still missing from the 1960s, this recovery gives the entire Doctor Who community renewed hope. Private collectors, film societies, and international archives continue to hold potential treasures. Every find reminds us how fragile early television history can be — and how important it is to preserve what remains.
At Who North America, we’re thrilled by any news that brings classic Doctor Who back into the spotlight. Whether you’re a longtime fan hunting for rare merchandise, action figures, Big Finish audios, or books tied to the Hartnell era, we’ve got you covered — with worldwide shipping from our store just outside Indianapolis, Indiana.
Have you watched the newly recovered episodes yet? Which missing story would you most love to see returned next? Drop your thoughts in the comments below — we love hearing from fellow Whovians!
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