Hannah Murray (Gilly) was desperate to “feel special” after Game of Thrones role

For Hannah Murray, best known as Gilly in Game of Thrones, the end of the series left her searching for lasting validation. In a candid interview with The Guardian, she reflected on how acting gave her a temporary sense of being chosen, but once a project ended, the feeling quickly faded. That search for permanence shaped her post‑Thrones journey and ultimately left her vulnerable to exploitation.

Quick read

• Murray says acting made her feel “special” only temporarily.
• She struggled with validation after Game of Thrones.
• Her search for meaning led her into a wellness cult.

“Where’s the thing that’s going to make me feel special for ever?”

Murray explained that being cast in a role gave her a powerful but short‑lived sense of significance. “That was a big factor of being an actor: being chosen for a role makes you feel incredibly special. But it lasts only for that project. I was on this hamster wheel of, ‘Where’s the thing that’s going to make me feel special for ever?’” she said. The cycle of temporary validation became exhausting, and her desire for something permanent pushed her to seek meaning outside of acting.

Murray’s involvement with the wellness cult

That search led her into a wellness group that promised spiritual clarity but ultimately exploited her vulnerability. Murray described how the cult preyed on her need to feel chosen and significant, drawing her deeper into its ideology until she lost her sense of self. The experience culminated in her being sectioned under mental health laws, a stark reminder of how easily the desire for belonging can be manipulated. Her story highlights the dangers of exploitative wellness movements that target individuals seeking validation and purpose.