Hannah Murray Reflects on Her Experience with a Health Cult
Actress Hannah Murray, known for her role in Game of Thrones, recently opened up about her challenging encounter with a health cult, sharing that it led to a “catastrophic” psychosis as she aimed for fame.
In an interview, she discussed her upcoming memoir, The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness, which details her harrowing journey and how she managed to escape the cult. Murray expressed concern over the wellness industry’s lack of critical examination. “People often think, ‘It won’t happen to me,’ and that can be quite misleading,” she noted. “You really can’t be so sure.”
Reflecting on her upbringing, she commented, “I came from a middle-class background and had a solid education, so I thought I would make smart choices. Yet, the choice to get involved with this cult was a terrible mistake. Instead of criticizing others, I think it’s essential to understand what drives people toward such decisions.”
Her introduction to the cult began with an “energy healer” she encountered while filming the 2017 movie, “Detroit.” The film, which addresses heavy themes of sexual assault, affected her deeply. Seeking support, she turned to the healer, whom she refers to as Grace.
Murray initially signed up for a $150 “healing” session, which led her down a path of additional courses connected to the organization, about which she chose not to disclose the name.
During her time with the group, she noted that some of Grace’s teachings seemed illogical, such as the ideas of bringing “light” into her body and utilizing “powerful and ancient” tools to awaken her “spiritual DNA.”
She shared, “What drew me in was the notion of uncovering a magical world hidden within our own. As a child, I wanted that to be real.” In the throes of her psychosis, her mind became a jumble of such beliefs, making her feel like she had a grand purpose—to save the world or even fly.
Murray eventually met the cult’s leader, Steve, who she describes as exuding an unprecedented strength. “I felt I was in the presence of a magician,” she said.
The tipping point came during a five-day retreat in London with other cult followers. It was there that she began experiencing severe hallucinations. At times, she felt excruciating pressure and imagined she was “giving birth through my skull,” while members shouted to drive out the “evil spirit” they believed possessed her.
Eventually, Murray was taken to a hospital in London and held for 28 days under the Mental Health Act, where she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Now, she has stepped back from acting and expressed her frustrations regarding health issues. “People often say we need to discuss mental health more,” she reflected. “What they typically mean are things like anxiety and depression, which are talked about openly. However, there’s still a stigma related to more serious mental health challenges.”
She emphasized the importance of sharing her story. “It’s crucial to acknowledge, ‘I went through this.’ Many others are experiencing similar struggles, and it doesn’t make them bad people or mean they’ll be stuck in it forever.”
