Can studied Journalism at Fontys. After graduating, he began his career at NMO and later worked at NPS, before joining Zembla in 2005 as a researcher. In 2012 he made the switch to documentary filmmaking. His television documentaries Bloedbroeders (Blood Brothers) with Ara Halici (2015) and De Arabische Storm (The Arab Storm) with director Thomas Blom (2016) for BNNVARA were well received by public and critics alike. Both documentaries were also published as books.
In March 2018, he released the documentary De verloren kinderen van het Kalifaat (The Lost Children of the Caliphate). It was followed in 2021 by Retour Kalifaat (Return Caliphate), which he made together with Daniëlle van Lieshout. The documentary won a Tegel Award in the interview category in 2022. The duo teamed up again in 2023 for Inside Kalifaat, winning again a Tegel award, this time in the Background category.
In September 2024, the three-part documentary series De Wapenroute (The Weapons Route) was broadcast, another project in collaboration with Daniëlle, marking Can’s first step into the world of crime journalism.
Later that year he received recognition for his exceptional achievements in his work from King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima durng the 39th Uitblinkerslunch (Outstanding Achievers Lunch).
He has directed more than 27 documentaries so far, while also continuing to work as a journalist and podcaster.
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