David Cann
Biography
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
All Movies (25)
- The Buckingham Murders2024 · as Alan
- Jeremy: A Nightmare2023 · as Professor Calrusian
- Rebecca2020 · as Lord Crowan
- Greed2019 · as Fat Cat
- Crooked House2017 · as Coroner
- The Kármán Line2014 · as Dr. Behringer
- Les Misérables2012 · as Magistrate
- The Iron Lady2011 · as TV Interviewer
- Albatross2011 · as Grumpy Man
- Attack the Block2011 · as Detective Superintendant
- The Eagleman Stag2010 · as Peter Eagleman
- Lizzie and Sarah2010 · as John
- Captive2008 · as The Chairman
- Run Fatboy Run2007 · as Marathon Official
- Moonmonkeys2007 · as Anthony Meloney
- Chromophobia2006 · as Policeman
- The Truth2006 · as Male Walker
- Dog Eat Dog2001 · as Police chief
- Bridget Jones's Diary2001 · as Cameraman
- The Murder of Stephen Lawrence1999 · as Forensic Scientist
- On a Moonlit Night1989
- Knights & Emeralds1986 · as Albert Brimble
- Biggles1986 · as Sapper Officer
- Nineteen Eighty-Four1984 · as Martin
- Wet Job1981 · as Cawthorne
All TV Shows (63)
- House of the Dragon2022 · as Dragonkeeper
- The Baby2022 · as Avery
- Four Weddings and a Funeral2019 · as Headmaster Mould
- Sex Education2019 · as Quiz Moderator
- Sally4Ever2018 · as Alan
- Killing Eve2018 · as Len
- Hold the Sunset2018 · as Counsellor
- Sick Note2017 · as Gordon Glass
- The Javone Prince Show2015 · as Policy Commitee Member
- Still Open All Hours2014 · as Cliff Bridges
- Uncle2014 · as Chaplain
- It's Kevin2013 · as Various
- Bad Education2012 · as School Governor
- Psychoville2009 · as Dr. Flint
- Benidorm2007 · as Maitre D'
- Not Going Out2006 · as Dr Rhodes
- Lead Balloon2006 · as Mr. Randall
- Saxondale2006 · as Male Dinner Guest
- The Green Green Grass2005 · as Farm Inspector
- If...2004 · as Professor Casper
- The Commander2003 · as DCI Tom Fuller
- tlc2002 · as DI Crighton
- 15 Storeys High2002 · as Public Attorney
- Spooks2002 · as Chief of Airstaff
- Mr Charity2001 · as Consultant
- High Stakes2001 · as Pearce
- Lee Evans: So What Now?2001 · as Chairman
- Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps2001 · as Solicitor
- Black Books2000 · as Eddie
- Doctors2000 · as Mr. Lee
- Doctors2000 · as Clem Thornton
- Doctors2000 · as Johnny Morton
- Doctors2000 · as Gordon Willet
- Jam2000 · as Various
- Beast2000 · as Solicitor #1
- People Like Us1999 · as Sergeant
- Bad Girls1999 · as Francis Cowan
- Berkeley Square1998 · as Recruiting Sergeant
- Brass Eye1997 · as Donaldus Matthews / Vicar
- Brass Eye1997 · as Ripp Candy
- Brass Eye1997 · as Alan Fortune-Vatch
- Brass Eye1997 · as Vicar
- Frontiers1996
- No Bananas1996 · as Man in Pub
- Silent Witness1996 · as Incident Commander
- Silent Witness1996 · as DI Murray Porter
- Pie in the Sky1994 · as Farm Worker
- A Dark Adapted Eye1994 · as Albert March
- Between the Lines1992 · as Insp. Rooney
- True Crimes1992 · as Reenactment
- Campion1989 · as Ropey
- Hard Cases1988 · as Steve Ridgely
- EastEnders1985 · as Mr. Randall
- The Bill1984
- One by One1984 · as Brian
- Shine on Harvey Moon1982 · as Spiv 2
- Shine on Harvey Moon1982 · as Spiv
- Sapphire & Steel1979 · as Pilot
- Armchair Thriller1978 · as Rodgers
- Grange Hill1978 · as Mr. Bentley
- Blake's 71978 · as Star One Technician
- London Belongs To Me1977 · as Process Server
- The Tomorrow People1973 · as Chaircreature






