March 13th, 2026
17 comments
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Two Missing Episodes from The Daleks’ Master Plan Found
From the BBC Press Office
Doctor Who fans are in for a treat this Easter, as two ‘missing’ episodes from the 1960’s will be made available for viewers on BBC iPlayer.
The episodes, thought to be lost forever, were found by Film is Fabulous! – a charitable trust run by film collectors, cinema lovers and vintage television enthusiasts. They approached BBC Archives after finding them in a private collection. BBC Archives has worked to restore the original 16mm telerecordings – meaning viewers will be able to watch them in the best possible condition on BBC iPlayer.
The two episodes; The Nightmare Begins and Devil’s Planet were from the third series entitled The Daleks’ Master Plan. Written by Terry Nation, the series starred William Hartnell as the Doctor and Peter Purves as Steven Taylor. It also featured Nicholas Courtney as Bret Vyon, Adrienne Hill as Katarina, and Kevin Stoney as Mavic Chen.
Noreen Adams, Director of BBC Archives says: “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.”
These two episodes add to a raft of Doctor Who programming which forms The Whoniverse on BBC iPlayer.
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D84
March 13th, 2026 - 11:39amIt may alter how feasible an animation of DMP is
With interest in the story already high, and the clear notion that on any animated release it is likely these recovered episodes would be included – it may move things around
I expect they will still animate all 12 parts as they have done with the other releases of this nature but it may stir things up
Would still be a gargantuan effort as its such a long story with 12 parts to get through
Bookcollector
March 13th, 2026 - 12:03pmIt will take the best part of two years to animate if not longer. Hope we get the episodes released sooner possibly on a myth makers animation as that makes sense. I think an individual release is a long way off unfortunately
Dunc
March 13th, 2026 - 10:30amThis is amazing news. I also wondering if they’ll release these on dvd/blu-ray?
pupbenny
March 13th, 2026 - 10:25amI initially misread ‘two’ as ‘ten’ then LOL but amazing to have found any! Great news to have new missing episodes STILL turning up after so long! 😀
Andy R
March 13th, 2026 - 9:28amAwesome news and amazing work. Nice they premiered them to Peter Purves too.
Scott
March 13th, 2026 - 9:28amThis I brilliant news, hope they find more episodes soon, in the not too distant future.
War Chief
March 13th, 2026 - 11:46amMore episodes with the Delegates…..and the Meddling Monk……and the tragic last episode, with Sara Kingdom…..and well, the rest of the story really….!
And if they find The Myth Makers and The Massacre, those episodes would nicely bookend this story….
but excellant, excellant news……what a good Friday 13th…..!
James
March 13th, 2026 - 8:59amSomeone asked Ian for comment? Lol
So we’re now half way to a complete version of DMP now. With 2,5,10 already archived, the prequel (Mission to the Unknown) remade by UNClan, and now 1+3 only leaves 7 eps to be sorted out. Maybe FiF may stumble upon a few more episodes. Hopefully a Box set maybe late 2028.
What a suprise to wake up to this morning.
RPG74
March 13th, 2026 - 8:58amFantastic. Lets hope animating the rest is a priority. I’ll happily accept black and white animations, and only those for the missing episodes would be fine! I suspect others feel the same.
What a find!
Troughton’s Trousers
March 13th, 2026 - 8:36amSplendid news! Looking forward to watching them. Wonder what other episodes may have been found in the collectors’ treasure troves…
ThingsfallapartUK
March 13th, 2026 - 11:11amAbsolutely this. We get excited about Doctor Who in this community but these collections have so many other lost media that hopefully gets uncovered and restored
Auton
March 13th, 2026 - 8:32amAmazing news. Can’t wait to watch them
TimelordTim
March 13th, 2026 - 8:15amExcellent news, looking forward to seeing them.
Prof Horner
March 13th, 2026 - 8:12amWhat fantastic news to wake up to. Best of all it’s on iPlayer from next month.
The ergon
March 13th, 2026 - 8:38amFound out via Gordon about 4pm this morning. I couldnt sleep and just checked my phone. I Couldnt believe it.
The ergon
March 13th, 2026 - 8:39amThats 4am.
The ergon
March 13th, 2026 - 8:07amAvailable to view on iplayer the 4th April.
Toby hadoke discussed the findings on breakfast tv.