Doctor Who to release previously unseen Rose prequel episode

‘It’s a lost piece of history from the 50th anniversary year’

Former Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has revealed that as well as airing his 2005 original pilot “Rose”, this week the BBC will bring us a previously unseen prequel of the episode’s action.

The long-shelved bit of promotional material, "Rose: The Prequel" will air on the BBC’s Doctor Who website on Thursday (March 26).

Davies has also announced plans to live-tweet during the airing of the Rose pilot.

Posting on Instagram yesterday (March 24), Davies, whose location is noted as Gallifrey, wrote to his followers: “ROSE livestream and tweet-a-long, THURSDAY 26 MARCH at 7pm GMT. Come and have fun!

”Before that, Thursday daytime, time TBC, we'll release ROSE: THE PREQUEL on the BBC's Doctor Who website - it's a lost piece of history from the 50th anniversary year, 2013.

“Never seen before!”

His caption elaborated: “ROSE is available in the UK on BBC iPlayer and Netflix; worldwide, check your own resources (don't ask me, I have no clue!). If you can't find a copy, close your eyes at 7pm GMT and feel my psychic link. Yeah.

”I'll be tweeting along, twitter handle to be named on Thursday! Plus more surprise to come. Oh what a lockdown this is! #TripofaLifetime.“

Davies’ plans come after many fans spoke out about using the series as a way to come together during coronavirus self-isolation.

The first fan watch-along took place this weekend when Davies live-tweeted along to the 50th anniversary episode “The Day of The Doctor”.