Nicole Kidman, who plays the pioneering British scientist Rosalind Franklin in the play Photograph 51, says her role is her way of acknowledging her father's work, who passed away last year.

Franklin was the only woman involved in the discovery of DNA's double helix in 1953, but her work was only recognized after her death, according to BBC.

Kidman said that the final preview of the play, which is Sept 12, happens to be the death anniversary of her father, Dr Antony Kidman.

"This is my way of acknowledging him but also acknowledging the people in science who quietly do things and aren't acknowledged a lot of the time,"she said in London on Monday.

"He knew I was going to do this. I like to think he'll still be somewhere offering support."

She then recalled the times when she, together with her sister played with her father's laboratory apparatus. Kidman admitted that her first preview on stage last Saturday  was a "really emotional" moment.

After being gone from the stage for a long time, 17 years at that, she admitted that she got nervous while portraying the role.   

"I think nerves get more as you get older. I would love to say they get less, but they don't," Kidman said. "My heart was pounding and that rush of adrenaline is an extreme feeling."

"Getting out there on the stage is the big thing, but once I was out there it was unbelievable."

For Kidman, Franklin had a "massive contribution" in the field of science and it was "an injustice" that her work was not recognized during her time.

Director Michael Grandage, works with Kidman in Photograph 51.

Grandage described Kidman as a "fearless" actor, which makes her perfect for the role.

Grandage told BBC, "She's a character that needs a big hearing. Who better to give her that than Nicole Kidman?"