2013
James and Soleta Rogan found Rogan Productions with an ambition to make high-quality, human-led films. The company quickly carves out a reputation for tackling difficult stories.
2014
The Intelligent Hand, produced for The Balvenie, receives its world premiere at BAFTA before being acquired for international distribution—an early demonstration of Rogan’s ability to bring documentary craft to branded storytelling.
In 2025 it was acquired by Netflix.
2015
James directs Monty Python: The Meaning of Live alongside Roger Graef, it premieres at Tribeca and earns a Rose d’Or nomination.
2016
A growing slate earns industry recognition - Rogan delivers The Confession, Gun Shop and One Night in 2012. Together, the films receive nominations from Sheffield DocFest, BIFA, AIBs, National Film Awards and the RTS.
2017
New voices and new formats - BBC Three series The Refugee Diaries follows a young Syrian refugee rebuilding his life in Britain. The series earns a Grierson nomination and is shortlisted for a One World Media Award.
2018
April
James directs the three part series Stephen: The Murder That Changed a Nation which goes on to wins two Grierson Awards, including Best Documentary Series and earns him a BAFTA nomination for Best Director.
The landmark series, made for BBC One in association with Asif Kapadia's On The Corner, drives national conversation around racism, justice and police accountability.
November
Rogan Digital launches, creating a dedicated home for branded films and commercial content.
2019
Following the success of Stephen, his friend Duwayne Brooks presents Stabbed: Britain’s Knife Crime Crisis, which wins two Grierson Awards, including Best Single Documentary – Domestic.
2021
Rogan collaborates with Sir Steve McQueen on Uprising, Black Power and Subnormal—three landmark films reclaiming pivotal chapters of Black British history through first-hand testimony.
Putin: A Russian Spy Story wins the Realscreen Award for Outstanding Non-Fiction/Archive-Based Programme.
Rogan Productions signs a first-look distribution and development deal with BBC Studios.
October 2021
Rogan Scotland launches in Glasgow, headed up by Mark Hedgecoe, and announces its first commission Becoming Frida Kahlo.
2022
Uprising wins the BAFTA for Documentary Series, alongside awards from the RTS and Edinburgh TV Festival.
Freddie Mercury: The Final Act wins both an International Emmy for Arts Programming and a Rose d’Or for Arts.
August
Nick Franklin joins as Head of Production, from Passion Pictures. With a career spanning 18 years, he is committed to delivering ambitious and complex commissions
2023
Rogan Is 10!
Uprising continues to pick up awards across the board, this time winning a Realscreen Award for Non-Fiction: Archive-Based.
Rogan Productions continues to break new ground innovative filmmaking, partnering with Rose Ayling-Ellis to make Signs for Change. Deaf and hearing filmmakers work side by side, forging new and more inclusive approaches to documentary production.
2024
The Search for Nicola Bulley, becomes the third-most watched BBC documentary of the year.
Rogan delivers major productions including Defiance: Fighting the Far Right for Channel 4, The Final: Attack on Wembley for Netflix and Zuckerberg: King of the Metaverse for Sky. Defiance wins Best Documentary at the Eastern Eye ACTAs and receives major industry nominations.
2025
Rogan Scotland’s first feature documentary The Secret of Me has its world premiere at SXSW before reaching festivals around the world to critical acclaim.
Feb
Merle Currie is promoted to the newly-created post of Head of Unscripted Development. Merle, has been instrumental in guiding the development team through a period of significant growth since joining in 2025 and is responsible for scaling the company’s creative pipeline.
June
Jenny Popplewell is appointed as Head of Factual, joining the London team. Jenny brings an impressive track record of some of the most watched and memorable documentaries in recent times to lead the development and delivery of “bold, human-led stories that challenge perspectives and ignite conversation."
2026
Throughout the year Grenfell: Uncovered takes the awards by storm. The feature doc picks up Netflix's first BAFTA by winning Best Single Documentary and also wins big at the RTS Programme Awards, as well as Best Documentary Programme at the Broadcast Awards.
February
Follwing sales to more than 220 territories worldwide Rogan’s first-look deal with BBC Studios is renewed for a further three years.
April 2026
Rogan expands into scripted storytelling, appointing Anna Burns as Head of Scripted Development.
June 2026
Rogan is named one of the world’s top ten documentary production companies in Realscreen’s Global 100.
September 2026
Rogan Productions South Africa launches and Mick McAvoy is announced as successor to Mark Hedgecoe as Head of Rogan Scotland.
Extraordinary stories told with integrity
Extraordinary stories told with integrity