Two Lost Doctor Who Episodes Recovered and Restored

Two long-lost episodes from the classic British science fiction series Doctor Who have been recovered and restored, offering fans a rare glimpse into the show's early history. The episodes, "The Nightmare Begins" and "Devils Planet," originally broadcast in 1965, will premiere on BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom this Easter following work by a charitable trust and BBC archivists.

The rediscovered footage comes from the 12-part serial "The Daleks' Master Plan," which aired as part of the show's third season. Written by Terry Nation, the creator of the Daleks, the storyline follows the Doctor and his companions as they thwart a galactic conquest plot by the Daleks, who aim to seize control of Earth, the solar system, and beyond. The narrative carries a darker tone compared to many early adventures in the series, which debuted in 1963.

William Hartnell stars as the First Doctor, with Peter Purves portraying companion Steven Taylor. The episodes also feature early appearances by Nicholas Courtney as Bret Vyon, Adrienne Hill as Katarina, and Kevin Stoney as Mavic Chen. Courtney later gained prominence in the role of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart in subsequent seasons.