'Joy': The True Story Explained
In 1978, the first in vitro fertilisation (IVF) baby, Louise Joy Brown was born. Since then, it's estimated that 12 million babies have been born from IVF, with roughly 750,000 born each year.
Despite this, few know about how the life changing treatment came to be, the team behind its development, and the trials and tribulations they faced. Uncovering the real life story of the pioneers behind IVF, Netflix's latest biographical drama, Joy traces the team credited to creating the treatment, and the heroine Jean Purdy whose integral role is often ignored.
The film stars Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy, where they delve into their decades long pursuit of researching, developing and eventually creating IVF. Joy delicately unpacks the setbacks they faced and the very stark, real experiences of the women who participated in the trials.
Ahead of the release of the film, this is everything to know about Joy.
What is the plot behind Joy?
As per Netflix's logline of Joy's plot, the premise of the film is as follows: 'Joy tells the remarkable true story behind the ground-breaking birth of Louise Joy Brown in 1978, the world’s first ‘test-tube-baby’, and the tireless 10-year journey to make it possible.'
'Told through the perspective of Jean Purdy, a young nurse and embryologist, who joined forces with scientist Robert Edwards and surgeon Patrick Steptoe to unlock the puzzle of infertility by pioneering in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The film celebrates the power of perseverance and the wonders of science as it follows this maverick trio of visionaries who overcame tremendous odds and opposition to realise their dream, and in doing so allowed millions of people to dream with them.'
Who will make up the cast of Joy?
It's a star-studded cast: McKenzie, Norton and Nighy portray the pioneering team who birthed IVF.
McKenzie stars as Jean Purdy, a nurse and embryologist who played an instrumental role in not only the creation of IVF, but also providing major support to the hundreds of women who trialled the fertility testing.
In an interview with ELLE UK, McKenzie shares what it was like working alongside her co-stars, Norton and Nighy: 'I truly loved working with both of them and I'm so excited to be on this journey with them. Bill was constantly singing, and making everyone smile and James was a ball of energy, he was just so energising to be around.'
Nighy plays Patrick Steptoe, an established surgeon who is initially apprehensive to join the team, but is eventually convinced when he realises the potential in combining his work with Edwards'.
Lastly, Norton plays the last leading role of Robert Edwards, the scientist who brought together the team after hiring Purdy and convincing Steptoe to lend his capabilities to the cause.
What is the true story behind Joy?
Elements of the film have been fictionalised for entertainment purposes, but much of Joy is factual and faithful to the real-life events of the team's pursuit in creating IVF. As well as this, the film focuses on the commonly unrecognised and forgotten role that Jean Purdy played in bringing the treatment to life.
During the creation process of IVF and after the birth of Louise Joy Brown, only Steptoe and Edwards received recognition and praise for their efforts. Still to this day, much of Purdy's involvement is foregone in the press.
True to the film's depiction, Jean Purdy was born and raised in Cambridge and had been working as a nurse before she applied for the role of a laboratory manager position, where she met Robert Edwards.
Also true to the real events that occurred, Edwards approached Steptoe to join the team given his technique for collecting eggs from women's ovaries. The team's work did actually take place in Bourn Hall, (which remains a leading infertility treatment centre to this day) including Purdy's role of conducting data analysis, clinical observations and patient care.
As portrayed by Joy, Purdy lived a private live and never married or had children, until she passed away at the age of 39 due to cancer.
Despite the media only crediting Steptoe and Edwards for the team's findings, Edwards continuously told the press and media that the credit IVF was owed to not just the entire team, but specifically Purdy, given her persistence and understanding of the female body.
When will Joy air?
Joy will be available to watch from November 22 on Netflix.
Is there a trailer for Joy?
Yes, the official trailer for Joy was released on October 2 and you can watch it at the top of this article.
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