From Wildling To Memoirist: 7 Shocking New Details About Hannah Murray, The Actress Who Played Gilly In Game Of Thrones

As of December 2025, the actress who brought the resilient, quiet strength of Gilly to life on HBO's global phenomenon *Game of Thrones* has stepped into a new, intensely personal spotlight, moving from the fantasy world of Westeros to the harsh reality of her own life. Hannah Murray, the English actress best known for her roles as Gilly and the iconic Cassie Ainsworth in the British series *Skins*, is currently making headlines not for a new acting role, but for a deeply revealing upcoming memoir. The latest updates on her career and personal life are far more dramatic than any storyline she played on screen, centering on a shocking personal crisis that led her to step away from acting.

Murray's journey from a young, eccentric student in Bristol to a core member of the *Game of Thrones* cast is a fascinating study in transformation. Her career, marked by roles that demand vulnerability and depth, has recently taken a profound turn toward authorship, promising a candid look at the mental health struggles and personal challenges she faced during her rise to global fame. This article explores her complete biography, her most significant roles, and the explosive details of her newest, most personal project.

Hannah Murray: Full Biography and Profile

Hannah Murray, whose full name is Tegan Lauren-Hannah Murray, is an acclaimed English actress known for her compelling portrayals of complex, often fragile characters in both television and film. Her career trajectory showcases a dedication to independent and challenging projects, cementing her reputation as one of the most interesting performers to emerge from the UK's youth drama scene.

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• Full Name: Tegan Lauren-Hannah Murray
• Date of Birth: July 1, 1989
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 36
• Place of Birth: Bristol, England
• Nationality: British (English)
• Education: University of Cambridge (studied English)
• Breakout Role: Cassie Ainsworth in *Skins* (2007–2008, 2013)
• Most Famous Role: Gilly in *Game of Thrones* (2012–2019)
• Notable Film Roles: *God Help the Girl* (2014), *Bridgend* (2015), *Detroit* (2017), *Charlie Says* (2018)
• Awards & Nominations: Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, Best Actress at the Tribeca Film Festival, three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations (with the *GoT* cast).

The Shocking New Chapter: Hannah Murray’s Memoir and Cult Experience

The biggest and most recent news surrounding the actress is not an audition or a film set, but the announcement of her debut memoir, a project that has generated significant buzz for its raw, intensely personal subject matter. This latest update fulfills the fan curiosity about her quiet career period following the conclusion of *Game of Thrones*.

The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness

Hannah Murray’s highly anticipated book, titled *The Make-Believe: A memoir of magic and madness*, is currently scheduled for release in May 2026. The memoir is expected to explore her experiences with mental health, the pressures of fame from a young age, and a deeply traumatic period of her life that forced her to confront her own reality.

The book’s promotional material, and recent news reports from October 2024, confirmed the shocking revelation that Murray was "sectioned after being recruited into a cult" at a vulnerable point in her life. This incident, where she was forcibly hospitalized under the UK’s Mental Health Act, forms a central, emotionally charged part of her narrative.

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The decision to share this story marks a significant shift for the actress. Known for her reserved public persona, Murray is now using her voice to shed light on complex issues like the dangers of cult-like manipulation and the challenges of navigating mental health crises while in the public eye. The memoir is poised to be a powerful piece of literature that transcends her acting career, offering a candid look at the fragility beneath the surface of a successful performer.

From Skins to Westeros: The Evolution of a Quiet Star

Hannah Murray’s career is defined by two monumental roles that, while vastly different in genre, share a common thread of portraying deeply sensitive, often marginalized young women. These roles established her as an actress capable of conveying immense emotional depth with minimal dialogue.

The Eccentricity of Cassie Ainsworth in Skins

Murray’s breakout role was as Cassie Ainsworth in the groundbreaking teen drama *Skins* (2007). Cassie was a character defined by her ethereal presence and her quiet battle with anorexia and depression. Her signature catchphrase, “Wow,” became an iconic part of British youth culture. The role earned her a Golden Nymph nomination and showcased her unique ability to play deeply flawed yet utterly endearing characters, setting the stage for her future work.

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The Resilience of Gilly in Game of Thrones

In 2012, Murray joined the cast of *Game of Thrones* as Gilly, a Wildling woman from Craster's Keep who is rescued by Samwell Tarly of the Night's Watch. Gilly’s storyline was one of quiet triumph and survival. She was a victim of incest and abuse who found safety, learned to read, and became a symbol of hope and resilience in a brutal world. Her character was pivotal in revealing the truth about Jon Snow's parentage, unknowingly stumbling upon the crucial information that he was the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark.

The chemistry between Gilly and Samwell Tarly (played by John Bradley) provided a much-needed emotional anchor in the series. Murray remained a core cast member until the final season, a remarkable achievement given the show's high body count. She and her fellow cast members received three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.

Post-Thrones Film Career and Key Roles

Following her major television successes, Murray focused heavily on independent and prestige cinema, demonstrating her versatility across various genres. Her filmography after leaving Westeros highlights her commitment to complex, challenging material.

• *Bridgend* (2015): This Danish-language drama, set against a backdrop of a mysterious suicide cluster in a Welsh town, saw Murray take on a leading, award-winning role. Her performance as Sara earned her the Best Actress award at the Tribeca Film Festival, proving her strength outside of major studio productions.
• *Detroit* (2017): Directed by Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow, this crime drama focused on the 1967 Detroit riots. Murray played Julie, a role that placed her alongside a powerhouse ensemble cast in a project dealing with intense, real-world historical events. This role was a significant step into major Hollywood filmmaking.
• *Charlie Says* (2018): In this film, Murray portrayed Leslie "Lulu" Van Houten, one of the women convicted in the infamous Manson Family murders. The role required a chilling transformation, further cementing her reputation for tackling dark and psychologically demanding characters.

While Hannah Murray's most recent public activity has revolved around her forthcoming memoir, which is expected to dominate headlines through 2026, her legacy as an actress who masterfully portrayed the complexities of Gilly and Cassie remains securely intact. Her shift to memoir writing is not a retreat, but a brave new form of storytelling, promising to be her most impactful and honest work yet.