Summary

The two narrators for the true-crime seriesCold Case Filesnot only add an air of further mystery to the show but have also worked on other projects involving criminal investigation.Cold Case Filesis a 2017 limited series revival of the 1999 showof the same name. Both series explore criminal cases that have been closed for years, documenting both the past investigations and what happens when new leads arrive. TheNetflix crime showcopies the original’s dramatic twists and turns as it looks into various stories. It also copies the show’s added ominous feel through its invisible narrator.

TheNetflix TV show’s narrator serves a simple function in the series. Through the narration, viewers can easily be informed about the facts of the case succinctly. The narrator’s recitation of the facts then allows the interviews to focus on the details and personal connections the interviewees have with the case, adding depth to each story.Cold Case Files' original narrator not only did this but also added further emphasis to each reveal,creating another reason why this series is so iconic.

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Cold Case Files Is Narrated By Bill Kurtis

Bill Kurtis Is a Prominent Television Journalist

Bill Kurtis is both the past and current narrator ofCold Case Files,lending the show both his journalistic expertise and iconic voice.Kurtis was in seven ofCold Case Files’eight seasons,acting as the narrator for the original run’s five seasons and two of the reboot’s three seasons. His voice, which is well-known in the true crime sphere, adds to what makesCold Case Filesagenuinely scary crime documentary seriesand showcases his experience as a prominent journalist.

Kurtis is a well-known news anchorwhose career in investigative journalism led him to cover historic events from the 1960s to the 1980s in New York and Chicago.His voice became even more recognizable after his many appearances in crime and news documentaries, including the original run ofCold Case FilesandAmerican Justice.Though Kurtis did return for the reboot, he did not resume his role as the narrator right away. Instead, the show had the foreboding Danny Glover take up the mantle.

A title card from Cold Case Files, showing a woman in the forest with caution tape

Danny Glover Replaced Bill Kurtis As The Narrator For Cold Case Files Season 6

Danny Glover Is Well-Known For His Role In The Lethal Weapon Franchise

Danny Glover took over as the narrator in theCold Case FilesNetflixreboot before Kurtis returned.Glover narratedCold Case Filesseason 6, which is also season 1 of the reboot series. Kurtis then resumed his role when, after a four-year hiatus, the series was again revived by A&E Networks. Nonetheless, Glover’s narration honored Kurtis' through its ominous tone and informational segments during the Netflix series' limited run. His time on the show also spoke to his role in one of thebest buddy cop action moviesof the 1980s.

Glover’s no-nonsense air from the franchise leaked over to his narration, giving the revival another new facet to let it stand on its own.

Danny Glover as Roger Murtaugh looking shocked in the office in Lethal Weapon

Glover’s role in theLethal Weaponfranchise is one of his most famous, adding an interesting twist to his time onCold Case Files.Glover’s no-nonsense air from the franchise leaked over to his narration, giving the revival another new facet to let it stand on its own. Though Kurtis' narration continues to keep audiences engaged, Netflix’sCold Case Fileslet Glover step back into the world of criminal investigation as new evidence for these cases continues to arrive for both the series and the investigators.

Cold Case Files

Cast

Cold Case Files is a revival/continuation of the original series that aired in 1999, with Bill Kurtis returning as a host and narrator. The series explores various cold cases that, years later, were re-opened with one dramatic clue or twist. Cold Case Files navigates the multiple stories through interviews with people with varying professional backgrounds and professionals in the field.

Cold Case Files TV Poster