About

CanCan Productions is an independent film and television production company set up by Rebecca Papworth.

We are based in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, a stone’s throw from Leeds and Manchester, giving us access to great views and different voices.

People

Rebecca Papworth, MD

Rebecca Papworth is a Creative Producer and Executive.

She has twenty years producing experience at a senior level: she established Hat Trick North, launched The Salford Sitcom Showcase and was Executive Producer at BBC Comedy North, overseeing three series of CITIZEN KHAN, developing SUNNY D for BBC3 and HOME FROM HOME for BBC1. She has also spent time as a Commissioning Executive for BBC Nations and Regions, with credits including award-winning shows RAB C NESBITT, GAVIN & STACEY, THE ROYLE FAMILY and A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH. She was the first woman to produce HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU, series produced the award-winning I LOVE THE 80’S and developed THE JOHNNY & INEL SHOW for CBBC. She most recently created and oversaw landmark channel 4 daytime show STEPH’S PACKED LUNCH for 670 episodes and developed HIGH HOOPS for CBBC due out in Spring ’25.

Thea Burrows

Head Of Production

For sixteen years Thea ran a Cannes Lions winning branded content production company which specialised in cinematic storytelling for brands such as Adidas, Gaggenau, NHS, Walkers, Finieterre and AstraZeneca. It was recognised in Creative England’s Top 50 most creative and disruptive screen companies. In 2020 Thea decided to follow her passion for developing and producing film and TV drama. Since then, she has Line Produced season one of High Hoops, produced numerous short films and an award-winning feature film and has received funding to develop projects from BFI, XR Stories, Screen Yorkshire and Bradford City of Culture. She excels at giving creatives the freedom to do their best work and is passionate about shooting in her beloved North and encouraging more female creative talent. Thea is a BAFTA Connect member and voluntary charity trustee at the Independent Cinema Office.

Justine Potter

Head of Drama Development

Justine has been developing, producing and exceeding in drama and comedy for TV and audio across the UK broadcasting landscape. She’s worked with some of the UK’s best loved writers including Jimmy McGovern and Val McDermid as well as launching the writing careers of so many new TV and Audio writers who are now well known across the industry; talent including Anthony Schumacher, Helen Black, Maxine Peake and many many more. Before moving to Can Can in 2020 she worked with UK companies including Sister Pictures, LA Productions, Red, BBC and Savvy Productions At Can Can Justine continues to find and break the best new diverse and often northern talent to launch their earlier careers as well as work with some of the UK’s favourite writing talents. She heads up the development team and is producing / exec’ing on new comedy and dramas for Can Can.

Susan Cooke

Legal and Business affairs

Susan originally qualified into the intellectual property department of City law firm Nicholson Graham and Jones (now K&L Gates), before moving into Channel 4’s Business Affairs department. There, she worked across several genres, including Entertainment, T4, Music and Arts, Channel 4’s, and also working across some of Channel 4’s digital, merchandising and main sponsorship deals. From Channel 4, Susan moved into the independent production sector, working for At It Productions and then as Lion Television’s Director of Legal and Business Affairs for twelve years where she gained direct experience on a wide variety of high profile programming, ranging from popular and award winning shows such as Horrible Histories and Homes under the Hammer, to blue chip international documentaries such as Secrets of China’s Forbidden City and The Hunt for the Arctic Ghost Ship.

Mark Rogers

Legal and Business affairs

After qualifying with West End law firm Olswang, Mark started his media career in Channel 4’s Business Affairs Department where he had responsibility for the commercial aspects for the Channel’s factual, factual entertainment and digital output, including arts, daytime, features and documentaries. Among many programmes he had responsibility for were "Channel 4 News", "Big Brother", "Time Team" and "Cutting Edge". Mark left Channel 4 to join RDF Media (now Banijay UK) in the role of Chief Commercial Officer responsible for all the commercial aspects of the production output of Banijay as well as its distribution activities. Mark has dealt with all major broadcasters in the UK and many overseas.