Shes best known for being a showrunner on HBO series Girls (Picture: WireImage, Getty)

Lena Dunham has penned an open letter to Aurora Perrineau after defending Girls writer Murray Miller, who was accused of raping her.

The letter starts by reflecting on the downfall of Harvey Weinstein after he was accused of being a sexual predator.

She recalled in the open letter published in Hollywood Reporter: That morning in October 2017 I cheered. I clapped. I wrote an op-ed.

I was painfully unaware of how much the content of the news in the coming days would activate and disarm me, and even less aware that my plight wasnt at all unusual. I was not special because of my trauma, but I didnt know that I was part of an army.

However, the Girls writer faced huge amounts of backlash when she defended fellow writer Murray after he was accused of rape.

The 32-year-old isnt standing by her previous actions (Picture: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

In a statement at the time, Lena and fellow showrunner Jenni Konner said: While our first instinct is to listen to every womans story, our insider knowledge of Murrays situation makes us confident that sadly this accusation is one of the 3 percent of assault cases that are misreported every year.

Advertisement Advertisement

It is a true shame to add to that number, as outside of Hollywood women still struggle to be believed. We stand by Murray and this is all well be saying about this issue.

In the open letter, she repeals the statement, writing: And so I made a terrible mistake. When someone I knew, someone I had loved as a brother, was accused, I did something inexcusable: I publicly spoke up in his defense.

There are few acts I could ever regret more in this life. I didnt have the “insider information” I claimed but rather blind faith in a story that kept slipping and changing and revealed itself to mean nothing at all.

I wanted to feel my workplace and my world were safe, untouched by the outside world (a privilege in and of itself, the privilege of ignoring what hasnt hurt you) and I claimed that safety at cost to someone else, someone very special.

Lenas known for speaking out about feminism (Picture: Steve Zak Photography/FilmMagic)

Her apology continued: To Aurora: You have been on my mind and in my heart every day this year. I love you. I will always love you. I will always work to right that wrong.

It finishes: Sometimes healing starts with the words: Im sorry. Im sorry. Moving forward from trauma is never easy, but there are brave women doing it for us. All we have to do is listen. Love and more of that, Lena.

Advertisement Advertisement

Back in November, Aurora alleged that Murray raped her when she was 17 years old.

She said in a statement: At some point, I woke up in Murrays bed naked. He was on top of me having sexual intercourse with me. I freaked out and was extremely upset and traumatized. At no time did I consent to any sexual contact with Murray.

More: Lena Dunham

Murray denied the accusations, with his attorney Don Walerstein saying: Mr. Miller categorically and vehemently denies Ms. Perrineaus outrageous claims.

After being contacted several weeks ago by lawyers who — on Ms. Perrineaus behalf — sought substantial monetary damages from him, Mr. Millers legal team gathered overwhelming evidence directly contradicting these false and offensive claims.

In August, it was reported that he wouldnt be charged.

Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for Lena and Aurora for comment.

Got a showbiz story?

If you've got a story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.

MORE: Lena Dunham is feeling body positive as she admits she fetishised her body in the past

MORE: Lena Dunham and Brad Pitt psychoanalyse Liam and Noel Gallagher and everyones a bit confused

Advertisement Advertisement

[contf] [contfnew]

METRO

[contfnewc] [contfnewc]