April 28, 2026
The showrunner joins Peter Purves and a host of other names from the Whoniverse in sharing their reactions with Doctor Who Magazine...
Doctor Who fans across the UK tuned into BBC iPlayer on Easter weekend for a rare event — the debut of two episodes not seen onscreen for almost 60 years. The Nightmare Begins and Devil's Planet, both part of First Doctor serial The Daleks' Master Plan, were recently recovered by film trust Film is Fabulous!; and returned to the BBC Archives to join the full collection of available Doctor Who episodes currently streaming on BBC iPlayer in the UK.
Among the viewers was current Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies who, along with a host of stars, writers and creatives from the series, shared his reaction to the debut of the missing episodes in the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine. Read on for an exclusive preview...
Doctor Who Magazine issue 629 is on sale from Thursday 30th April. You can order it here.
Russell T Davies on watching the returned episodes of The Daleks' Master Plan - The Nightmare Begins and Devil's Planet:
“No one would have known that Mission to the Unknown [which aired five weeks before The Nightmare Begins] was a one-off episode without the Doctor. The most mystifying thing in the world. And then you go to Troy for four weeks [in The Myth Makers]! I wish someone had kept diaries. I wish there were a written record of people going, ‘What the hell is going on?’ Then five weeks later, the absolute joy of turning on the television and realising, oh, that was a prequel. Suddenly we’re back on this jungle planet and they’re talking about Marc Cory again! Oh, I remember this. The oddness, the madness of that.
“What you’re seeing is television as a live experience. Imagine the word of mouth the Monday after: ‘Oh my God, they killed that girl from the TARDIS!’ I wonder if the following week’s ratings went up – I know for a fact that the excitement among children would have. That’s why it’s no wonder the sixties stuff is welded, heart and soul, into the core of viewers. And people worship it still.”
Also included in DWM 629 reactions from actors Katy Manning, Matthew Waterhouse and Nicholas Pegg, writers Peter McTighe, Rob Shearman, Ben Aaronovitch, plus many, many more!
In this issue:
- PETER PURVES – alias First Doctor companion and space pilot Steven Taylor – shares his delight on seeing episodes he recorded over 60 years ago!
- Meet the people behind FILM IS FABULOUS! Hear the story behind this remarkable find – and what hope there is for further discoveries…
- TOBY HADOKE on the enduring fascination of Doctor Who’s missing episodes.
- Find out what Doctor Who celebrities and experts made of the episodes now they can finally see them. Among those sharing their reactions are: RUSSELL T DAVIES, KATY MANNING, MATTHEW WATERHOUSE, BEN AARONOVITCH, ROB SHEARMAN, PETE McTIGHE, NICHOLAS PEGG and MATTHEW SWEET…
Plus:
- Rutans vs Sontarans! Check out exactly how a Big Finish audio drama is recorded, with contributions from PAUL McGANN, COLIN BAKER and NICOLA BRYANT.
- We take a deep dive into the mysteries of Twelfth Doctor episode The Pyramid at the End of the World.
- Back to 1987… and the discovery of two missing episodes of Doctor Who…
- How does poll-topping fan favourite The Caves of Androzani compare to modern TV drama?
- The Fifteenth Doctor and Mel battle the Daleks in the comic strip…
Regular features:
- GALLIFREY GUARDIAN: our monthly round-up of news from across the Whoniverse.
- Reviews – including GARY GILLATT on The Nightmare Begins and Devil’s Planet.
- Other Worlds – the essential guide to new stories in Doctor Who’s expanded universe – including the latest Eighth Doctor audio box set, the 100th monthly Torchwood release and an interview with SIOBHAN REDMOND about playing the Rani.
- Prizes to be won! Including the Steelbook edition of the TV movie.
Doctor Who Magazine issue 629 is on sale from Thursday 30th April. You can order it here.
