'Game of Thrones' actress Hannah Murray recalls cult involvement causing psychotic episode

Game of Thrones actress Hannah Murray has spoken publicly about her experience becoming involved in what she described as an exploitative wellness cult, revealing that it ultimately contributed to a psychotic episode, resulting in her being hospitalised under the Mental Health Act.

In an interview with The Guardian, Murray discussed how her involvement began while filming the 2017 movie Detroit.

She explained that the film’s “violent and dark” themes left her emotionally distressed, leading her to seek support from an “energy healer” she met on set.

The actress said the healer initially offered paid sessions designed to help her manage emotional stress before introducing concepts involving “spiritual DNA” and “powerful and ancient tools.”

Murray said she became increasingly involved in classes and programmes connected to the organisation, many of which required payment.

In her memoir, The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness, she wrote, “The pyramid was structured to exploit everyone who tried to climb it. Except for one person, one man, who sat at the very top.”

The actress also reflected on why she believed she became vulnerable to the organisation’s messaging. “I was well educated, from a middle-class family; everything should have been fine,” Murray told The Guardian. “I thought, ‘I'm smart. I make good choices.' Well, I made terrible choices.”

According to Murray, she later began experiencing hallucinations and delusions during a five-day course in London.

She recalled believing the group leader loved her and would marry her, while also describing episodes of severe mania and paranoia.

Murray said she was eventually restrained by several men before being taken to hospital, where she remained for 28 days under the Mental Health Act.

Following the incident, Murray said she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Reflecting on discussions surrounding mental health, she stated, “Lots of people go through this. That doesn't mean they are bad or f---ed up forever.”