'Doctor Who' Superfan Recreates Lost Episodes Using AI

 A lifelong fan of the iconic British sci-fi series uses AI to digitally rebuild missing episodes, preserving TV history in a new way.

Shaun Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

A missing chapter in Doctor Who history is being digitally reconstructed thanks to the dedication—and deep pockets—of one of the show's most passionate fans. Ian Levine, a longtime Doctor Who historian and music producer, has spent more than £100,000 recreating 18 lost episodes from the 1960s using AI tools.

The missing episodes, most of which starred Patrick Troughton as the Doctor, were originally wiped during BBC’s archival purges in the 1970s. For decades, only audio recordings and still images remained. Levine, who previously helped recover several episodes from private collectors, has now used generative AI to animate dialogue and replicate actors’ likenesses with surprising accuracy.

Levine told reporters he was motivated by a sense of urgency. His health has declined, and he feared he wouldn’t live to see the completion of the project unless he took it into his own hands. Using software that leverages machine learning to recreate facial expressions, movement, and scenery, he and a team of artists brought the 1968 serials back to life.

The endeavor walks a delicate line in a media landscape increasingly concerned about digital ethics. Critics have raised concerns about likeness rights and the use of AI in reproducing performances from deceased actors. Levine insists he has acted out of preservation, not profit, and hopes the BBC will eventually adopt or collaborate on the project.

The fan-led initiative also reignites discussions about how AI could be used in media restoration. Beyond Doctor Who, other franchises with missing, damaged, or poorly preserved content could benefit from the same techniques—if they’re applied with consent and care.

As Levine puts it, "This is my tribute to the show that shaped my life." And for longtime Doctor Who fans, it might be a rare case where AI actually brings something lost back from time.