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David Cann

David Cann

David Cann is an actor with a diverse and successful career in both theatre and television. After training at RADA he served his apprenticeship in the repertory system, appearing at many of Britain's grand old theatres in a wide range of roles. In plays ancient and modern, Shakespearean drama, musicals and pantomime, David developed into a leading man and character actor with a strong vocal technique and a firm grasp of many artistic styles; from the extreme naturalism of Lawrence's 'A Collier's Friday Night' through the high comedy of Sheridan's 'A School for Scandal' to the classical verse (not to mention the athletic sword-fighting) in 'Romeo and Juliet'. Moving into television David appeared in many shows including 'Sapphire and Steel' and 'Grange Hill'. In between these, he worked in small fringe theatres, such as the Gate in Notting Hill and the Croydon Warehouse, where such heart-warming pieces as Barrie Keeffe's 'My Girl' showed his subtlety in the more intimate space of studio theatre. In the mid-90’s David auditioned for a small part in a new type of comedy pioneered by Chris Morris. The resulting series, 'Brass Eye', was hailed as a major breakthrough in TV style; satirising TV itself. Morris subsequently asked David to join a small team to develop the award-winning BBC radio series 'Blue Jam' and, in 1999, some of this material was filmed for television as 'Jam'. It is for his work in this surreal and iconic series that David is best known. Over many years David has developed a strong reputation working with new and emerging talent, helping writers to develop their scripts through workshops and rehearsed readings. This led to David working with young director Tamara Harvey who later asked David to take the leading role in Laura Wade's charming play about the Welsh poet WH Davies in the highly-praised production of 'Young Emma' at the Finborough Theatre in London in 2003. For the BBC David became part of a notable storyline as Dot Cotton's cancer specialist in 'EastEnders' and again as Doctor Casper in the disturbing, futuristic drama-documentary 'If...we could stop the violence David’s film work includes appearances in 'Run, Fat Boy, Run', 'Attack The Block', 'The Iron Lady', 'Greed' and 'Rebecca'. On television David has appeared in 'Spooks' and 'Psychoville', 'Silent Witness' and 'The Javon Prince Show', but more recently 'Sex Education', 'It’s Kevin', 'Sally4Ever', 'Sick Note', 'Killing Eve' and 'The Baby'.

Known for

The Buckingham Murders
The Buckingham Murders
2024 • Alan
Jeremy: A Nightmare
Jeremy: A Nightmare
2023 • Professor Calrusian
Rebecca
Rebecca
2020 • Lord Crowan
Greed
Greed
2019 • Fat Cat
Crooked House
Crooked House
2017 • Coroner
The Kármán Line
The Kármán Line
2014 • Dr. Behringer
Les Misérables
Les Misérables
2012 • Magistrate
The Iron Lady
The Iron Lady
2011 • TV Interviewer

Full filmography

Jeremy: A Nightmare
Jeremy: A Nightmare
2023 • Professor Calrusian
View movie
Rebecca
Rebecca
2020 • Lord Crowan
View movie
Greed
Greed
2019 • Fat Cat
View movie
Crooked House
Crooked House
2017 • Coroner
View movie
The Kármán Line
The Kármán Line
2014 • Dr. Behringer
View movie
Les Misérables
Les Misérables
2012 • Magistrate
View movie
The Iron Lady
The Iron Lady
2011 • TV Interviewer
View movie
Albatross
Albatross
2011 • Grumpy Man
View movie
Attack the Block
Attack the Block
2011 • Detective Superintendant
View movie
The Eagleman Stag
The Eagleman Stag
2010 • Peter Eagleman
View movie
Captive
Captive
2008 • The Chairman
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Run Fatboy Run
Run Fatboy Run
2007 • Marathon Official
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Moonmonkeys
2007 • Anthony Meloney
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Chromophobia
Chromophobia
2006 • Policeman
View movie
The Truth
The Truth
2006 • Male Walker
View movie
Dog Eat Dog
Dog Eat Dog
2001 • Police chief
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The Murder of Stephen Lawrence
The Murder of Stephen Lawrence
1999 • Forensic Scientist
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Knights & Emeralds
Knights & Emeralds
1986 • Albert Brimble
View movie
Biggles
Biggles
1986 • Sapper Officer
View movie
Wet Job
Wet Job
1981 • Cawthorne
View movie
David Cann – Biography, Known For & Filmography