5 days Ago By Katie Palmer
Joy is coming to Netflix soon and the emotional film follows three pioneers in the world of health and science as they attempt to give infertile mothers the gift of a child. The drama is set in the 60s and 70s and sees some huge names starring as real-life heroes. Viewers will see the remarkable true story behind the ground-breaking birth of Louise Joy Brown, the world’s first ‘test-tube-baby’, in 1978.
The film details the decade-long journey of three tireless experts who unlocked the puzzle of infertility by pioneering in vitro fertilisation [IVF]. The story is told through the perspective of Jean Purdy, a young nurse and embryologist, who joined forces with scientist Robert Edwards and surgeon Patrick Steptoe. The synopsis continues: "Joy celebrates the power of perseverance and the wonders of science.
"For a decade of vertiginous ups and downs, we follow this trio of maverick visionaries as together they overcome tremendous odds and opposition to realise their dream – and in so doing, allow millions of people to dream with them." Here is all you need to know about when the film will air and who stars in the inspirational story. Joy was first released in select cinemas across the UK and Ireland on November 15, before launching on Netflix globally on November 22.
New titles tend to arrive at midnight for those watching in the US, and for viewers in the UK, they may have to wait until 8am on the day of release. The screenplay is by Jack Thorne who developed the story with his wife Rachel Mason and the pair said the project was heavily inspired by their own experience of undergoing IVF to have their son. Speaking to The Guardian he said: "It took Rachel [a comedy agent] and me seven rounds of IVF to have Elliott.
What started as a journey where we told everyone, and almost celebrated doing it, became a brutal and dark time. "Two years after we had him, Rach told me she’d been ready to leave me had IVF not worked for us. She wanted me to have a child and decided I wanted and needed children more than I wanted and needed her.
This wasn’t true. But it was what she was thinking." Bill Nighy stars as Patrick Steptoe, an obstetrician and gynaecologist who helped develop IVF.
Bill is a multi-award-winning actor who was most recently seen in The First Omen and The Beautiful Game. The 74-year-old was in a relationship with English actress Diana Quick and they have a daughter, Mary, who went on to become an actress. They separated in 2008.
Thomasin McKenzie plays Jean Purdy, a British nurse, embryologist and pioneer of fertility treatment. The 24-year-old New Zealand actress is known for her roles in Jojo Rabbit and Eileen. She is the daughter of actress Miranda Harcourt.
James Norton plays Robert Edwards, a physiologist and pioneer in reproductive medicine. James is a 39-year-old actor known for his roles in Happy Valley and Grantchester. He was in a romantic relationship with actress Jessie Buckley between 2015 and 2017, and was then with actress Imogen Poots from 2018 until breaking up before Christmas 2023.
Joanna Scanlan plays Gladys May and the award-winning actress is known for her roles in The Thick of It, Gentleman Jack and Notes on a Scandal. Tanya Moodie plays Muriel and the theatre actress is known for her roles in Silo and Empire of Light. She also appeared in the second season of The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power.
Rish Shah plays Arun and the star has recently been seen in Netflix 's Obsession and the Amazon Prime feature Sitting in Bars with Cake. The film also stars Call the Midwife actress Ella Bruccoleri and Happy Valley star Charlie Murphy. Joy airs on Netflix on November 22.
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