‘Game of Thrones’ Star Hannah Murray Reflects on Leaving Acting and Her New Memoir

Hannah Murray, widely recognized for her role as Gilly in ‘Game of Thrones’, has candidly shared her reasons for stepping away from acting and how she feels more fulfilled outside the industry. This insight comes from her interview with The Guardian, published on May 23, alongside details about her upcoming memoir, The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness.

At 36, Murray expressed that achieving fame at a young age was overwhelming. She often grappled with feelings of guilt for not being more appreciative of her success. As her public profile surged, particularly after her breakout role in ‘Skins’, managing these emotions became increasingly difficult.

Today, she feels a sense of peace regarding her decision to leave acting. Murray stated, “Thank God I don’t act anymore,” adding that the thought of not being an actor brings her “a real surge of joy.”

Murray’s passion for acting began in childhood, and she landed her breakthrough role in ‘Skins’ on her 17th birthday. The show not only launched her career but also those of several notable actors, including Nicholas Hoult, Dev Patel, and Daniel Kaluuya.

While pursuing her studies at university, Murray continued to work in film and television, a period she described as exhausting due to the constant travel for auditions. As her fame escalated, she found the attention increasingly challenging to handle.

She also discussed the pressures associated with her character Cassie’s storyline, which addressed eating disorders. Murray became addicted to reading online reactions, much of which she found painful. She remarked, “It was horrible, like the sewer of the internet; for every person saying my body was ‘thinspiration,’ there was someone else saying: ‘She’s disgusting.’”

After joining ‘Game of Thrones’ as Gilly, Murray faced even more public scrutiny. During this time, she struggled with personal issues, including substance abuse and tumultuous relationships. She reflected on the fleeting validation that acting roles provided, stating that it never translated into lasting confidence.

Murray noted, “That was a big factor of being an actor: being chosen for a role makes you feel incredibly special. But it lasts only for that project.”

Murray was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a revelation that brought her relief by helping her better understand her emotions. She also recounted her experiences with what she describes as a wellness cult, which she elaborates on in her memoir.

Her forthcoming book, The Make-Believe, delves into these experiences in depth. In an interview with PEOPLE in January, she shared that writing it took seven years and empowered her to reclaim her narrative. She expressed, “I’ve felt empowered to be telling my own story and reclaiming my own narrative.”

Since her last acting role in the 2018 film ‘Charlie Says’, Murray has not returned to the screen and has no regrets about her decision to step away.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!