Hannah Murray

Hannah Murray is an English actress whose career spans television, film, and stage, known for her ability to inhabit complex, emotionally layered characters. Murray began her training with the Bristol Old Vic Young Company before securing her breakthrough role at age 16 on her first professional audition. She portrayed Cassie Ainsworth in the E4 teen drama "Skins," a character whose depiction earned Murray a nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series at the Monte Carlo TV Festival. She later returned to the series, portraying Cassie as a more mature and independent adult. Between television projects, Murray earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Queens' College, Cambridge, reflecting her commitment to storytelling and the performing arts.

Murray's international recognition grew with her role as Gilly in HBO's fantasy series "Game of Thrones," where she appeared throughout the show's run and was promoted to series regular, earning three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations with the ensemble cast. Her stage work includes a West End debut in Polly Stenham's play "That Face" and the title role in the Off West End revival of Jean-Jacques Bernard's "Martine," for which she received a Best Female Performance nomination at the Off West End Awards.

In film, Murray has pursued challenging independent projects. She starred in the musical comedy-drama "God Help the Girl," written and directed by Stuart Murdoch, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and earned her a World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Delightful Ensemble Performance. She also appeared in the Danish drama "Bridgend," which premiered at the Rotterdam Film Festival and won her the Best Actress Award at the Tribeca Film Festival. Additional credits include Kathryn Bigelow's "Detroit" and the lead role of Leslie Van Houten in Mary Harron's "Charlie Says," which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival.

Murray is also the author of the autobiography "The Make-Believe," in which she discusses her mental health journey, including a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and her involvement with a wellness organization that presented significant challenges. She has spoken about the process and impact of writing about these experiences, reflecting the openness and depth that characterize her work in British television, film, and theater.