Gilly's Actress Reveals Her Most Memorable GoT Moment
The actress who played Gilly in Game of Thrones is Hannah Murray, the English actress born Tegan Lauren-Hannah Murray on July 1, 1989, in Bristol, England. She portrayed Gilly from 2012 through 2019, becoming one of the show's most recognizable supporting characters.
From green to gold: where Gilly's actress is now
Hannah Murray became widely known before Westeros through her breakthrough role as Cassie Ainsworth in Skins, then expanded her profile with film, stage, and television work before and after Game of Thrones. Her casting as Gilly was announced by HBO on August 8, 2011, and she later became a main cast member, appearing in 27 episodes across the series' run.
Who played Gilly?
Hannah Murray played Gilly, the quiet but resilient wildling woman introduced in the second season of HBO's fantasy drama. Gilly's story followed her escape from an abusive life at Craster's Keep and her growing connection with Samwell Tarly, making the character one of the show's most emotionally grounded figures.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Actor | Hannah Murray |
| Character | Gilly |
| Series | Game of Thrones |
| Run on show | 2012-2019 |
| Episode count | 27 episodes |
Career before and during Thrones
Before Westeros, Murray was already established as a rising British actor thanks to Skins, where she played Cassie Ainsworth and won a BAFTA Audience Award for the role. She also built a résumé that included stage work and films such as God Help the Girl, Bridgend, and Lily & Kat, showing a strong preference for character-driven projects rather than celebrity branding.
Her Game of Thrones run began in 2012 and continued until the finale in 2019, with the character evolving from a frightened survivor into a steady, morally important presence in the series. Industry coverage at the time noted that she was promoted to series regular for season four, a sign of how central Gilly became to the show's emotional architecture.
What she did after the series
After Game of Thrones ended, Murray continued acting but with a lower public profile than some of her co-stars, appearing in selected screen and stage projects. A 2024 entertainment report noted she appeared in the Prime Video series Dead Ringers as Susan, indicating that she was still working in prestige television even after the end of Westeros.
- She built her early reputation on Skins and then cemented it with Game of Thrones.
- She moved between film, television, and theater rather than chasing one long franchise.
- She remained associated with dramatic, character-led roles after the HBO series ended.
Why Gilly mattered
Gilly became a fan favorite because the character gave Game of Thrones a rare emotional vulnerability inside a story dominated by war and politics. The role also helped show Murray's strength in subtle performance, since much of Gilly's power came from silence, fear, and gradual confidence rather than speeches or spectacle.
"Hannah Murray brought depth to Gilly through subtle yet powerful performances that showcased vulnerability alongside fierce determination."
Recent public profile
Murray's public footprint has remained comparatively modest, which fits an actor who has often favored craft over constant visibility. Coverage in recent years has continued to identify her through the two signature roles that defined her career so far: Cassie in Skins and Gilly in Game of Thrones.
That quieter trajectory is part of what makes the "where is she now?" question so common: she did not disappear, but she also did not pivot into a constant stream of blockbuster publicity. Instead, she has stayed within the industry on her own terms, taking roles that keep her visible to viewers without turning her into a tabloid fixture.
Career timeline
The clearest way to understand Hannah Murray's path is to look at the major milestones that define her career. The timeline below shows how she moved from a British teen drama to one of television's biggest fantasy franchises, then into selective post-finale work.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Breakthrough as Cassie in Skins |
| 2011 | HBO confirms her as Gilly |
| 2012 | Game of Thrones debut as Gilly |
| 2014 | Continues as a series regular and earns stage acclaim |
| 2019 | Appears through the final season of Game of Thrones |
| 2024 | Reportedly appears in Dead Ringers |
FAQ
Legacy in one line
Hannah Murray is the actress behind Gilly, and her career shows a rare mix of early breakthrough, prestige TV success, and carefully chosen work afterward. Her performance remains one of the most human elements in Game of Thrones, which is why viewers still ask about her years after the finale.
Expert answers to Gillys Actress Reveals Her Most Memorable Got Moment queries
What is the actress's real name?
Her full name is Tegan Lauren-Hannah Murray, though she is professionally known as Hannah Murray.
How many episodes did she play Gilly in?
She played Gilly in 27 episodes of Game of Thrones.
Was Gilly her only major role?
No, Murray was already well known for playing Cassie Ainsworth in Skins, and she has also worked in film and theater.
Is Hannah Murray still acting?
Yes, available reporting indicates that she has continued acting in recent years, including a role in Dead Ringers.
Why do people search for Gilly's actress now?
People usually search for her because Gilly was memorable, Hannah Murray's face is strongly associated with the role, and she has kept a relatively low public profile since the series ended.