Hannah Murray details psychosis and psychiatric detention in new memoir extract
In an exclusive excerpt from The Make-Believe, Murray describes a period of delusion where she believed she was a 'Ritual Master' and the saviour of the planet, viewing medical intervention as a test to keep her from her spiritual destiny.
Actor Hannah Murray has released an exclusive extract from her memoir, The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness, offering a detailed account of a period of psychosis that led to her detention under the Mental Health Act. Published by The Guardian Culture on 23 May 2026, the text recounts her 28-day stay in a psychiatric hospital, during which she experienced intense delusions and engaged in rituals she believed were essential for her survival.
Murray describes a state of mind where she identified as a "Ritual Master" and the "saviour of the planet." In the extract, she recounts mistaking a uniformed NHS staff member for a cult leader named Steve, a figure from her delusional narrative who she believed could appear in disguise. She describes refusing to eat toast provided by the staff member, instead urinating into a cup and drinking the liquid, which she viewed as a potent potion that allowed her to survive on "liquids and air and light."
The actor notes that she remained unconcerned by the medical diagnosis, interpreting the hospitalisation as a test designed to prevent her from maintaining her spiritual state. When she received a phone call from her mother, Murray perceived the interaction as a "horrible test" intended to lure her back into her "human" past. She reassured her mother that she was fine, viewing the call as a way to say goodbye before fully committing to her perceived destiny.
Murray’s delusional narrative incorporated elements of her acting career, referencing her role as Gilly in Game of Thrones and her work on the film Detroit. She believed that her performances were part of a prophecy, citing the 2016 film The Girl With All the Gifts as a warning that she had averted. She described herself as the "Ur-actress," believing that every performance ever given was animated by her energy and that she had laid the groundwork for a magical journey through seven dimensions.
The memoir, published by Cornerstone and priced at £18.99, provides a stark insight into the intersection of mental health and creative identity. Murray is scheduled to appear in conversation with actress Jessie Cave at Kings Place in London on 6 June 2026, where she will likely discuss the experiences detailed in the book.