Joy is now available to watch on Netflix, and one of its most shocking aspects comes during the closing title cards.
It's revealed that it took until 2015 for Jean Purdy's name to be added to the memorial plaque at Kershaw's Hospital, following campaigning from Robert Edwards for her contribution in developing IVF to be recognised.
The new movie seeks to highlight Jean Purdy's role in the scientific breakthrough, alongside Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe. It's something that Bill Nighy – who plays Patrick – hopes will happen.
"The fact that they completely airbrushed Jean Purdy's contribution given that she did actually provide the final piece of the puzzle that made IVF possible is incredible," he told Digital Spy.
Related: Netflix's British drama Joy is an important watch
"She was a woman, and therefore she was dismissed. I mean, I'm sure it still happens. But that was one of the most satisfying things.
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"So this film would be the first time that she was given full credit for what she'd achieved and in some way goes to redress the balance."
Nighy's co-star James Norton echoed his hopes for the movie to shine a light on Jean's work during the 1960s and 1970s, calling the decision to focus on her as a "stroke of genius" from Jack Thorne and Rachel Mason, who developed the story.
"They came at it from the point of view of Jean and the women who are part of the Ovum Club, those women who sacrifice so much because a version of this film is from the point of view of the men and the scientists and they've already received their due credit," he said.
Related: Where is Louise Joy Brown now?
"Within this world, Patrick Steptoe and Bob Edwards are very much heralded as these pioneers and Jean was the quieter [person, and] wasn't given any due credit, and it's just so touching that Bob and Patrick fought so hard that she was credited.
"They did say many times that she was invaluable and the film speaks to the importance of collaboration. Those moments I find really touching when Bob looks at Jean and goes, 'It's a good idea, it's a really good idea'.
"It's a celebration of Jean, a celebration of women, but also there are these good men present who have allowed for this incredibly important progress and scientific discovery."
Norton also spoke to Digital Spy about what he wanted to avoid in his portrayal of Robert Edwards, while Thomasin McKenzie – who plays Jean Purdy – reflected on the career change that the movie offered her.
Joy is now available to watch on Netflix.
Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.
