Two lost Doctor Who episodes have been miraculously found – and they’re the 1960s era at its finest

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What a fantastic discovery on this Good Friday! These two episodes represent classic Doctor Who from the 1960s, and were previously believed to be lost forever. They were recently recovered from the collection of a private film enthusiast who has passed away, donated to the charity Film Is Fabulous, and finally returned to the BBC Archives.

“The Nightmare Begins” and “Devil’s Planet” are the first and third parts of a twelve-episode story called “The Daleks’ Master Plan.” Originally shown on British television in November 1965 to audiences of 9.1 and 10.3 million viewers, these episodes have been lost for over fifty years – until now. These once-forgotten programs will now be preserved for future generations.

We’re exploring the imaginative worlds created within TC3, BBC Television Centre’s third studio in west London, with some additional filming at Ealing Studios. These include a vision of Earth in the year 4000, the harsh jungle planet Kembel, and the forbidding prison world Desperus, alongside iconic sets like the original TARDIS control room and the Daleks’ futuristic headquarters.

Terry Nation’s signature style – detailed world-building, realistic and cynical characters, and a fast-paced, comic-book approach to storytelling – is evident throughout the show. However, much of its impact comes from the brilliant direction of Douglas Camfield. Though early in his career, Camfield had a remarkable talent for using camera angles and movement to create a sense of scale, depth, and suspense, even with limited resources.

It’s clear that space security agents Kert Gantry (Brian Cant) and Bret Vyon are completely frustrated and stranded on Kembel. It’s wonderful to see Nicholas Courtney’s passionate and brave performance as Bret, marking his first appearance in Doctor Who. He would, of course, later become the iconic Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, the Doctor’s main ally on Earth.

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The episode opens with a dramatic title card, “The Nightmare Begins,” shown as Peter Purves looks worried, almost as if the following twelve weeks are a hallucination experienced by the injured Steven. It’s a welcome sight to see him actively involved early on, quickly taking down Bret, and later showcasing his rarely seen abilities as a space pilot on Devil’s Planet.

After appearing almost comical in their last adventure, The Chase, the Daleks return here as the cunning, dangerous, and intimidating villains they’re known for. They’re threatening in every scene, whether battling in the jungle or within their own futuristic base, all thanks to the clever and efficient designs by Raymond Cusick.

Mavic Chen, the villainous protector of our solar system, is certainly a strange figure. The bald Technix appear to represent a highly advanced civilization, but Chen’s appearance is a mix of ethnicities that would be considered unacceptable by today’s standards. In contrast, Kevin Stoney is polished and confident, yet subtly reserved, hinting at a potential for dramatic shifts and revelations over the course of twelve weeks.

It’s wonderful to see more of Adrienne Hill as Katarina. She’s a recent refugee from Ancient Troy, having just joined the TARDIS in the last story, ‘The Myth Makers,’ and Hill portrays her with a quiet dignity. Despite knowing her fate, Katarina isn’t overwhelmed, but seems almost serene. These two episodes are full of charming, surprising moments, but I especially loved the scene where Katarina reaches for a large screen displaying the stars – a subtle hint of what’s to come in the next episode. I hope someone can locate that scene!

The show features some lovely, early special effects – like a tiny Dalek on the TARDIS screen, Chen’s spaceship flying through space, and three flaming torches moving towards Desperus. We also see some new props, including the Doctor’s magnetic chair and the glowing taranium core. The characters of Roald and Lizan, who chat at Earth’s Central Communications, aren’t particularly memorable, and Zephon, the alien council member with a seaweed face, is a bit silly. However, it’s still enjoyable to see more of this classic Doctor Who alien.

What really struck me is how seamlessly everything comes together – it just works, whether it’s a thrilling dream or a genuinely creepy nightmare. Okay, William Hartnell stumbles over a line here and there – I actually love when he says, “The Daleks will stop at anything to prevent us,” instead of the correct line – but honestly, it doesn’t detract from his performance. He’s completely masterful as the Doctor, bringing so much authority, wisdom, a surprising tenderness, and a real sense of urgency to the role. He is the Doctor, and it’s clear this show revolves around him.

It’s easy to understand why many friends who first saw this show when it originally aired consider it their all-time favorite. They’ve always been enthusiastic about its unique, somewhat meandering story.

Doctor Who: The Nightmare Begins and Devil’s Planet are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

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Authors

Patrick Mulkern
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2026-04-04 13:06