Hannah Murray opened up about one of the darkest chapters of her life. The actress recently revealed how her involvement with a wellness cult spiraled into a serious mental health crisis. The “Game of Thrones” alum reflected on the experience ahead of the release of her memoir, sharing how a search for healing ultimately led her somewhere she never expected.
The actress says the ordeal changed her perspective on both the wellness industry and the assumptions people make about who can become vulnerable to manipulation.
Game of Thrones star Hannah Murray’s joining a wellness cult led to a psychotic breakdown
Murray, best known for playing Gilly on “Game of Thrones” and Cassie on “Skins,” spoke candidly about her experience in an interview with The Guardian while promoting her upcoming memoir, “The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness.”
Looking back, the actress admitted she once believed she was the type of person who could never fall into a cult-like environment. “I thought, ‘I’m smart. I make good choices’,” she said. “Well, I made terrible choices.”
According to Murray, her introduction came through an energy healer she met while filming Detroit. What began as curiosity gradually pulled her deeper into a spiritual group centered around a charismatic male leader.
The actress described the atmosphere as emotionally charged and highly structured. She recalled being drawn in by promises of wisdom, personal growth, and a sense of specialness. Over time, she spent thousands of dollars pursuing those goals.
Instead of finding answers, Murray said the experience culminated in a psychotic episode that resulted in her being admitted to a psychiatric unit. She was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Today, the actress approaches wellness trends very differently. She told the publication that she no longer meditates, practices yoga, or engages with spiritual products because those environments can feel distressing after what she experienced.
Murray also highlighted that her story isn’t about mocking people who become involved in similar groups. In fact, she believes the opposite. “It’s important to understand why people do these things,” she explained, pushing back against the idea that only gullible people become vulnerable to manipulation.
The actress has since stepped away from acting and is focusing on sharing her story through writing. Her memoir, “The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness,” is scheduled for release on June 23.
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