Hutchinson Heinemann wins 13-way auction to 'Game of Thrones' actress Hannah Murray's memoir

Hutchinson Heinemann will publish Hannah Murray’s "astonishing" memoir, after a 13-way auction.

Helen Conford, publisher of Hutchinson Heinemann, has secured UK and Commonwealth rights, including audio, for The Make-Believe from Harriet Poland at CAA, with publication in summer 2026. The deal followed a bidding war between 13 publishers.

The Make-Believe is a memoir by the actress and star of a portfolio of tv shows and films, including "Skins", "Game of Thrones", "Detroit" and "Charlie Says". In 2017, she was sectioned as a direct result of her involvement with a wellness cult.

Hutchinson Heinemann said: "This is the story of the blurred line between what is real, and what is an illusion; what we must accept and what we wish to be true; between solid earth beneath your feet and a world where anything is possible if you only commit. It is about the lure of those that tell us they can save us, and the deceptive structure of organisations that promise us ‘wellness’. It’s about the acting world, but also about the way all of us act, hiding our vulnerabilities from everyone except the people trained to prey on them."

Murray said: "The Make-Believe tells a deeply personal story that has lived inside me for many years and which it now feels vital to share. I could not be more thrilled to be working with Helen Conford, whose vision for the book aligns perfectly with mine.

"I’m grateful to Helen and the whole team at Hutchinson Heinemann for their belief in this book and its story, and I can’t wait to start working together."

Conford said: "Hannah’s writing is astute, deeply felt, rigorous and compulsive. The Make-Believe is about Hannah’s own life, but her story expands our empathy beyond its current scope. We couldn’t put it down, and think it is a profound and long-lasting book. We’re over the moon she chose to work with us."