Hannah Murray opens up about the scary events that led to her decision to leave Hollywood.
In a new interview with The Guardian promoting his upcoming memoir, The Make-Believe: a memoir of magic and madnessMurray explained how a seemingly harmless “feel-good cult” ultimately escalated into hallucinations, paranoia and a 28-day psychiatric hospitalization.
“I had no idea I was going to relive the things in the book,” Murray admitted. “I told myself, ‘I’m smart. I make good choices.’ Well, I made some terrible choices.
The actress said she was initially drawn to the group after experiencing emotional difficulties while filming the 2017 film. Detroit. What began as a positive healing session slowly evolved into a deeper involvement in a spiritual organization led by a man she calls “Steve.”
“He exuded a power that I had never known in anyone,” she recalls. “Magical power… I knew I was in the presence of a magician.”
Things came to a head at a retreat in London, where Murray said she began hallucinating and hearing voices. At one point, she believed she could “save the world” and “fly.” She eventually locked herself in a bathroom while members of the group reportedly chanted, “Go away, evil spirit in Hannah.”
Murray was later detained under the Mental Health Act and diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This experience ultimately changed the course of his life and career.
Now retired, Murray, 36, said she hopes sharing her story will help break the stigma surrounding serious mental illness.
“It was really important to say, ‘I’ve been through this,'” she shared.
