For years, audiences around the world knew Hannah Murray as the gentle and resilient Gilly from ‘Game of Thrones’. Before that, she had already won hearts as the unforgettable Cassie in Skins. But behind the success, red carpets, and global fame, the actress was fighting a deeply personal battle one that would eventually lead her into what she now describes as a wellness cult and a terrifying mental health crisis.
In a candid reflection tied to her new memoir, The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness, Murray has opened up about one of the darkest chapters of her life. The actress revealed that she became involved with a wellness group after being introduced to an “energy healer” while working on the 2017 film Detroit. What initially appeared to be a path toward healing and self-discovery gradually evolved into something far more troubling.
According to Murray, the group’s leader convinced followers that he possessed extraordinary spiritual abilities. At one point, she was told that she had been “possessed by a demon” and that an exorcism had been performed on her. Looking back, Murray admits she completely believed what she was being told at the time, despite how alarming those claims now seem.
The situation spiraled dramatically when Murray experienced a severe mental health episode. She described hearing the leader’s voice in her head and suffering intense psychological distress before being rushed to a hospital in London. She was ultimately hospitalized for 28 days under the Mental Health Act and later diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
What makes Murray’s story particularly powerful is her refusal to portray herself as someone who was simply naïve or easily manipulated. Instead, she has emphasized that vulnerability can affect anyone, regardless of education, background, or intelligence. Her message is that the promise of healing, purpose, or belonging can be incredibly seductive during difficult periods of life.
Today, the 36-year-old has largely stepped away from acting and focused on writing, recovery, and understanding the events that reshaped her life. Through her memoir, she hopes to spark conversations about mental health, the dangers of exploitative wellness movements, and the stigma that often surrounds conditions such as bipolar disorder.
For fans who remember Hannah Murray as a beloved star from two of television’s most iconic series, her story is both heartbreaking and inspiring. It is a reminder that behind fame and success are real people facing real struggles and sometimes the bravest role an actor can play is telling the truth about their own life.
In sharing her experience, Murray isn’t just revisiting a painful past. She’s turning it into a warning, a conversation, and perhaps most importantly, a source of hope for others who may be navigating similar battles.