Claire Danes addresses controversial Billy Crudup relationship

NEW YORK, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Claire Danes addressed her controversial relationship with Billy Crudup during an appearance Monday on The Howard Stern Show.

The 36-year-old actress opened up about the 47-year-old actor in an interview with host Howard Stern. Danes was decried as a homewrecker when Crudup left his six-months-pregnant girlfriend, actress Mary-Louise Parker, to be with her in 2003.

"That was a scary thing," she said of public backlash. "It was really hard ... I was just in love with him and needed to explore that and was 24. Didn't quite know what those consequences might be. It's okay. I went through it."

Danes and Crudup met on the set of Stage Beauty in 2003, and dated until 2006. The actor and Parker had been together seven years, and the Weeds actress gave birth to their son, William, in January 2004.

"I've never commented on the situation and I won't because it's not fair to my son," Parker later told More magazine. "Who wins? No child can benefit in that situation. Your love for your child should eclipse any other feelings you have for another person."

Danes went on to marry Hugh Danes in 2009, and shares 2-year-old son Cyrus with the actor. The actress has starred as Carrie Mathison on Showtime series Homeland since 2011, which airs new episodes Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.