Posted in: BBC, TV | Tagged: doctor who

Doctor Who: McTighe, Moffat & More Attend "Lost" Episodes Screening

Pete McTighe, Steven Moffat, and more attended the screening of the recovered Doctor Who episodes "The Nightmare Begins" and "Devil's Planet."

This weekend, there are a whole lot of very happy Doctor Who fans. Why? Because two "lost" Doctor Who episodes that had been recovered (two chapters from "The Daleks' Master Plan" – "The Nightmare Begins" and "Devil's Planet," both originally airing in 1965) not only landed on BBC iPlayer and the Doctor Who: Classic YouTube channel, but also received an official screening at Riverside Studios. Getting a chance to check out the found episodes was Peter Purves (Steven Taylor, assistant to William Hartnell's First Doctor), Pete McTighe (The War Between the Land and the Sea), Steven Moffat, Nicholas Briggs, and many more. If you're like millions around the world, you probably weren't able to attend the event in person. But that's okay because the show's social media account shared a video highlight reel from the screening.

"Today at [Riverside Studios] we travelled back to 1965 for a very special screening of the recently discovered episodes of #DoctorWho The Daleks' Master Plan 🎞️📽️ Watch now on @bbciplayer in the UK and on the Doctor Who Classic YouTube channel in the US 📺," read the caption to the video post offering a look at the big event:

In "The Nightmare Begins," the TARDIS lands on the planet Kembel, and the Doctor goes to find help for the injured Steven. He discovers that the Daleks are on Kembel and are planning to conquer Earth. Having stolen the vital taranium core from the Daleks, the Doctor and his friends have escaped Kembel in Mavic Chen's ship, but the Daleks give chase in "Devil's Planet." Here's a look at the two episodes:

The topic of more "lost" episodes potentially being found was addressed by Film is Fabulous! in an online statement offering further clarity on their initial release about the recovered episodes. The two biggest topics addressed are the rumors that Film is Fabulous! is holding back news on more recovered episodes until the April 4th screening of "The Nightmare Begins" and "Devil's Planet" (it's not), and that it's actively searching for additional missing episodes of Doctor Who – here's a look:

No, Film is Fabulous! Is Not Holding Back Any More Recovered Episodes: "Film is Fabulous! do not have any other missing episodes of Doctor Who. We are not holding any missing episodes back to announce at the special screening on Saturday, 4th April 2026. Film is Fabulous! do not discuss the details of elderly private collectors, or the films in their collections, with third parties. John Franklin and Prof. Justin Smith are the only members of the team who know the facts, and they will not disclose this information, even during interviews with the media."

Film is Fabulous! Isn't Searching for Lost Episodes Because That's Not Its Function: "Film is Fabulous! is not 'searching' for missing episodes of Doctor Who. The primary function of the team is to preserve vulnerable film collections held privately in the U.K."

Film is Fabulous! also revealed that the collection that included the two lost episodes also included the following episodes:

"The deceased enthusiast's private collection contained a total of six episodes of Doctor Who. In addition to the two missing episodes listed above, the following episodes were also recovered:

The Survivors (Broadcast: 28th December 1963)

The Escape (Broadcast: 4th January 1964)

The Web Planet (Broadcast: 13th February 1965)

The Executioners (Broadcast: 22nd May 1965)

The four episodes of Doctor Who listed above are already held by the BBC Archives. However, the original 16mm prints recovered by Film is Fabulous! will be returned to the BBC, as they might provide a superior source for future restorations. Neither the original 16mm prints, nor the cans with labels, are for sale to private individuals."

Written by Dalek creator Terry Nation, the serial also features an early appearance from Nicholas Courtney in his pre-Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart days. Film is Fabulous! (FIF) is sponsoring a special screening of the two episodes in London on April 4th, with Purves as the guest of honor (though no details for the event have been released so far). On the same day as the screening, the two restored Doctor Who episodes will also be available on BBC iPlayer (no word yet on if there will be any viewing options for those outside of BBC iPlayer's reach – possibly as a physical release, digital download, or something along those lines).

Noreen Adams, Director of BBC Archives, shared, "We're thrilled to have worked with the team at Film is Fabulous! to bring these lost Doctor Who episodes to viewers on BBC iPlayer this Easter. BBC Archives has been working to restore the original recordings and update these to broadcast quality, ensuring fans can enjoy a little extra treat with their Easter Eggs this April."

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