Actress Hannah Murray has spoken publicly about the disturbing experiences that led her to step away from acting, revealing that a combination of mental health struggles and involvement in a so-called “wellness cult” played a major role in her retirement from Hollywood.
Entry Into a “Wellness” Group
In a recent interview discussing her upcoming memoir, Murray explained that she first became involved with a group that presented itself as a wellness and healing community. She said she initially joined during a difficult emotional period while working on the 2017 film Detroit.
What began as therapeutic support gradually developed into deeper involvement with a spiritual organisation led by a man she referred to as “Steve,” whom she described as having an intense and persuasive presence.
Escalation Into Mental Health Crisis
Murray revealed that her experience with the group eventually took a dark turn. During a retreat in London, she said she began experiencing hallucinations and paranoia, including hearing voices and developing intense delusions.
At the height of the episode, she believed she had extraordinary abilities and described feeling disconnected from reality. The situation reportedly escalated to the point where she isolated herself while other group members reacted in an alarming manner.
Hospitalisation and Diagnosis
Following the incident, Murray was detained under mental health legislation and later diagnosed with Bipolar disorder.
She also spent 28 days in psychiatric care, which she described as a turning point in her life. Medical professionals later helped her stabilise her condition and begin a recovery process.
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Life After Acting
Murray, best known for her roles in Game of Thrones and Skins, has since retired from acting. She says her decision was influenced by both her mental health journey and her desire to step away from the pressures of the entertainment industry.
She explained that writing about her experience has become part of her healing process and hopes it helps reduce stigma surrounding severe mental health conditions.
Raising Awareness
By sharing her story, Murray aims to highlight the risks of manipulation within vulnerable support environments and encourage open conversations about mental illness.
Her account adds to a growing number of public discussions about the importance of mental health awareness, early intervention, and safe support systems for those experiencing psychological distress.
