Hannah Murray, known for her roles in "Game of Thrones" and "Skins," has detailed a difficult period in her life that resulted in psychiatric hospitalization, attributing it to her involvement with an "energy-healing" cult and a subsequent diagnosis of bipolar disorder. The 36-year-old retired actress shared her experiences in her memoir, "The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness."
Murray's ordeal began in 2016, a time when she was seeking to advance her acting career and had taken a role in Kathryn Bigelow's film "Detroit." It was during this period that she was introduced to a cult led by an individual she refers to as Steve.
According to Murray's account, she was on the final day of an energy-healing course in London when she was taken to a hospital and subsequently committed. She recalled that the leader, Steve, had told her she was "possessed by a demon" while filming "Detroit" and had performed an exorcism on her. Murray described experiencing escalating internal sensations and hearing voices, while remaining intensely focused on Steve, whom she viewed as a figure of ultimate authority. Her communications with Steve at the time were characterized by obsessive messaging.
After being released from the psychiatric ward following a three-week stay, Murray began therapy. Through sessions with a psychiatrist, she explored issues including depression, drug use, and self-harm. The psychiatrist's assessment pointed to bipolar disorder, a diagnosis that Murray found provided clarity and explained years of challenges she had faced. This diagnosis offered an alternative explanation to Steve's assertion of demonic possession.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by significant shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. Murray expressed relief that the diagnosis offered a framework for understanding her experiences, moving away from the cult leader's explanation.
Murray's memoir, first announced in 2024, aims to share a deeply personal story. The actress began her career in the E4 teen drama "Skins" before going on to portray Gilly from season two through eight of HBO's "Game of Thrones." Her last acting credit was in the 2020 series "Expecting." She had previously taken a hiatus from acting to complete a degree in English Literature at Queens' College, Cambridge University. "The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness" is now available.