‘Game of Thrones’ Star Hannah Murray Opens Up About Her Experience in a Cult
Cults often begin by offering help, meaning, or personal growth, but can gradually become controlling or harmful. Individuals from various backgrounds may find themselves involved, sometimes unaware of the extent of the group’s influence over their thoughts and decisions.
Many former members later share their experiences of manipulation, pressure, and the challenges of leaving such groups.
Actress Hannah Murray, recognized for her role in ‘Game of Thrones’, has candidly discussed a challenging chapter in her life involving a wellness group she now labels as detrimental.
Murray revealed that her journey began in 2017 when she met someone identified as an “energy healer” while filming ‘Detroit’.
Initially, it appeared to be a typical introduction to alternative wellness concepts. However, she explained that it gradually evolved into something much more profound and controlling. She stated she never imagined she would find herself in such a situation, sharing, “It’s easy to go, ‘That would never happen to me.’ I thought I was smart and made good choices. But I made terrible choices.”
As time passed, Murray became increasingly involved with the group, attracted by promises of personal insight, healing, and a sense of purpose. She also mentioned spending significant amounts of money in her quest for self-understanding through the group’s teachings. The atmosphere became uncomfortable, particularly due to the leader’s behavior, which included making sexual jokes and fostering what she described as an intense environment.
She noted that the space felt “highly eroticized,” despite no reports of physical abuse. The group’s influence intensified as she participated in more sessions and courses, leading to a growing isolation in her thinking. This period of her life became increasingly unstable.
During a five-day retreat in London, Murray experienced a severe mental health crisis, marked by hallucinations and auditory experiences. She was subsequently hospitalized under the Mental Health Act for nearly a month and later diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Murray shared that this breakdown marked a pivotal moment in her life. She now views that time as having profoundly impacted her mental health and perception of reality. Reports from Page Six and other outlets have covered her hospitalization and diagnosis.
In her upcoming memoir, ‘The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness’, set to release on June 23, she delves deeper into her experiences. She aims to raise awareness about how easily individuals can be drawn into harmful groups, even when they believe they are cautious and intelligent.
She emphasized, “Lots of people go through this. That doesn’t mean they are bad or broken forever.”
Since departing from the group, Murray has taken a step back from acting and distanced herself from wellness practices. She avoids activities like meditation and yoga, as they remind her of that period and can evoke challenging emotions. She is now more selective about her exposures.
Murray is best known for her portrayal of Gilly in ‘Game of Thrones’ and Cassie Ainsworth in ‘Skins’. She views writing her memoir as a means to be transparent about her experiences and to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues like psychosis and bipolar disorder.
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