Joy, the inspiring film that has just landed on Netflix, follows the journey of Robert Edwards (portrayed by James Norton), Jean Purdy (Thomasin McKenzie) and Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy) as they make groundbreaking discoveries in IVF treatment.
The movie tells the story of visionary scientist Robert who hires Jean, a 23-year-old nurse, to manage a research lab in Cambridge, England, in 1968. Robert is determined to convince Patrick to join him in achieving the remarkable breakthrough of in vitro fertilisation.
Despite Patrick agreeing to assist, the trio face doubt from the scientific and medical communities. Over the next ten years, they experience professional victories and heartbreaking setbacks.
Against all odds, they reach a pivotal moment in 1978 when Louise Joy Brown is born, making history as the world’s first IVF baby.
Here’s everything you need to know about what happened to the real-life Robert Edwards, affectionately known as Bob.
The real Robert, along with Jean and Patrick, established the first IVF programme for infertile patients and trained other scientists in their techniques for future generations.
In 2010, he was honoured with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his role in developing in vitro fertilisation.
As early as the 1950s, he envisioned that IVF could be a viable treatment for infertility and to date, around four million individuals have been born using this method.
After establishing the Bourn Hall Clinic to further their research, he continued his career as a scientist and editor of medical journals. One of his final public appearances was on the BBC Radio 4 series The New Elizabethans in 2012, marking Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.
He died at his home near Cambridge in April 2013, aged 87, following a lengthy battle with a lung condition.
Cambridge University announced: “It is with deep sadness that the family announces that Professor Sir Robert Edwards, Nobel prizewinner, scientist and co-pioneer of IVF, passed away peacefully in his sleep on 10 April 2013 after a long illness.
“He will be greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues.”
Mike Macnamee, CEO of Bourn Hall, added: “Bob Edwards is one of our greatest scientists. His inspirational work in the early 60s led to a breakthrough that has enhanced the lives of millions of people worldwide.
“He is held in great affection by everyone who has worked with him and was treated by him. For me personally, Bob was a great mentor, colleague and friend. It was a privilege to work with him and his passing is a great loss to us all.”
Joy is now available for streaming on Netflix.