Game of Thrones star Hannah Murray reflects on experience with wellness cult
The actress described wellness culture as 'seductive and addictive' when she was vulnerable
Hannah Murray has reflected on her involvement with a wellness group she now describes as cult-like, saying she was drawn into what she calls the “seductive and addictive” side of the wellness and spiritual world during her younger years.
The 36-year-old actress, best known for her role as Gilly in Game of Thrones, said her experience in her 20s led her into what she now considers the “underbelly” of the wellness industry — a period she has since chosen to distance herself from entirely.
Speaking to The Guardian, Murray said even seemingly harmless wellness practices can feel overwhelming depending on personal circumstances.
“Even the tame stuff can feel quite distressing,” she said, adding that she no longer engages in practices such as meditation or yoga.
“I don’t meditate any more. I wouldn’t go into a crystal shop. I don’t do yoga, because I don’t quite know what might come up that might feel a bit too woo-woo for my personal threshold,” she explained.
Murray said wellness culture is now so widespread that it is often presented as an automatic solution to emotional or physical struggles.
“It’s everywhere, seen as an inherently positive solution,” she noted. “But as someone looking for something to fix me entirely, a magic wand or silver bullet, the promise felt seductive and addictive.”
The actress added that she never expected to find herself in a situation where she felt exploited, but now believes it is easier for people to fall into such environments than many assume.
“It’s easy to go, ‘Well, that would never happen to me,’ but we do ourselves a disservice when we start saying that,” she said. “I had no idea I was going to go through any of the things in the book. I would’ve assumed I couldn’t, that I was safe.”
Murray, who has previously spoken about her mental health and bipolar disorder diagnosis, said she now views her past decisions with more understanding and self-reflection.
“I made terrible choices,” she said, “but it’s important to understand why people do these things, rather than going, ‘How stupid could you be?’”
