Emotional ties with Call the Midwife’s Fenella Woolgar

 From the ages of three to six, I lived in New Canaan, Connecticut. I had an American accent and used to do imitations of Americans that made everyone laugh. I have kept this number plate from our car ever since. It lives in my kitchen.

 I once pretended to be Irish to get a role, then thought I should probably spend some time there, so I toured around the Dingle Peninsula with my mum, who is Irish. We found this mug, now chipped, that has the Irish version of my name: Fionnguala.

When I was cast as an artist in a Mike Leigh film, I took some painting lessons to get into character, which sparked a major passion. This painting of my son Gabriel, aged four, is one of the first I did. I’m very proud of it as it totally captures him.

I bought this tatty T-shirt in Camden Market when I was about 25 and didn’t have much money. I dyed it at home in a bucket and wore it at my audition for the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. I got in, so I’ve kept it – it’s far too short to wear again.

 I love this wedding photo: my husband Rob and I are laughing because Moira, our best woman, made a very funny speech. She told Rob to put his hand over mine, then said, ‘That’s the last time you’ll ever have the upper hand.’

I wore these kitten heels to audition for Stephen Fry’s [2003] film Bright Young Things. Stephen didn’t say a word to me, so I was sure I hadn’t got the part, but then he looked down at my feet and said, ‘I love your shoes,’ and I got it.