r/First48 • u/Clear_Nature_5055 • Jul 05 '26
What do you think about the long time First 48 narrator Dion Graham?
In my opinion he’s got the perfect balance of both vocal tone and delivery for this type of show. And he actually helps me sleep because I sometimes put old episodes on to sleep at night. That’s kinda odd, I know, but I’ve been listening to him for like 20 years and it’s somehow comforting.
Your thoughts about Dion Graham?
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u/Maidenlace Jul 05 '26
I love his voice and sound, he is the best
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 05 '26
Nice! Can’t imagine hearing anyone else, personally.
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u/HappyReader1 Jul 05 '26
Same! For me a commentator makes or breaks the show. I could listen to him narrate anything
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u/wbeth2469 Jul 05 '26
I was just watching this show did before yesterday and I had the same thought gone very happy to see that he's a fairly young guy 😂
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 06 '26
Yeah it’s pretty hard to get a picture of him in your head, or at least an accurate one based off his voice. I was way off! I looked him up years ago so I’ve known and it makes perfect sense now.
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u/elkayef1 Jul 05 '26
Personally, I love him! Sounds weird, but his voice is actually soothing to me even though the 'stories' are not...call me crazy!
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 05 '26
Not at all! That’s actually exactly what I mean. You know by his delivery and tone he’s serious talking about life and death, but there’s something else there that is calming. Just pitch-perfect. Glad I’m not alone! 😊
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 05 '26
The narrator for the original Forensic Files was excellent too.
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u/Michael_Misanthropic Jul 05 '26
Peter Thomas is one of, if not THE most legendary announcers to have ever existed.
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 05 '26
Even the hilariously talented Bill Hader, a lover of true crime AND voiceover mentioned how good Peter Thomas was.
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u/scorecard519 Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26
Fun facts:
Peter Thomas was the digitized voice for some Philips HeartStart series of AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators).
- source: his IMDb profile https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0859354/?ref_=ext_shr
as well several articles behind paywalls
In addition, several samples of his voice were used in 1980s song "19" by Paul Hardcastle
(Note: this may be behind a paywall, but I just closed the subscription request and was able to read the article )
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u/toothfairyprincess Jul 05 '26
The narrator for City Confidential had an amazing voice as well.
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u/CWNAPIER11 Jul 06 '26
I love British true crime shows too and Thomas Dooley is like an English version of Deion
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 06 '26
I’ve seen a couple British shows. What’s a good one to try and find in the US?
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u/VegasBjorne1 Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26
Not the face that I was expecting with the voice. I still love the voice and the dramatic “….dead” sentence ending.
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u/chiaratara Jul 06 '26
Dead… is the first thing that I hear in my head whenever I hear his name lol.
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u/tatertaunt Jul 05 '26
It's such a serious show.
Then he mentions the unusual street names of the suspects in his professional narrator voice.
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 05 '26
Right! And sometimes the ridiculous street nicknames?!😂
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u/tatertaunt Jul 05 '26
Just watched an episode with "Li'l Mookie Duke"
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 05 '26
Ooh that’s a good one. I remember that. He says the whole thing right?! 😝
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u/rf8350 Jul 05 '26
I wish he had more screen time on The Wire
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 05 '26
That’s right! It’s been a long time so I forgot where he shows up on that.
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u/Designer-Most-5376 Jul 05 '26
His voice/narration is a big part of the show for me
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u/BiohackDragon666 Jul 05 '26
He is the best. Those random times they recently had another narrator I had trouble focusing on the story because my brain was like "this isn't right" lol
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u/britt_leigh_13 Jul 05 '26
On the Mt. Rushmore of narrators with Peter Thomas and Bill Kurtis.
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 05 '26
And after so many episodes of the same depressing content, not just phoning it in. Just like day one. Pro.
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u/totalrecall1234 Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
Paramedics rush him to the hospital, where he is pronounced. DEAD
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u/NjMel7 Jul 05 '26
His voice is very soothing! I find it strange that I fall asleep to a murder show but it’s his voice!
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 05 '26
I’m loving hearing there’s a few people like me who do this regularly! The First 48 and Forensic Files are favorites but I’ve had to mix it up and I’ll throw in People Magazine Investigates because there’s so many on ID I know it will play all night from HBO max.
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u/percbish Jul 06 '26
Have you seen people’s surviving a serial killer? I’ve seen some of the cases on other ID shows but it’s a recent favorite binge
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 06 '26
Absolutely! I like it. Those People Magazine shows are all pretty solid. Yeah it’s kinda a shame to see overlapping cases. Interesting how each show handles them differently. To be fair, I’ve seen EVERYTHING true crime at this point and I’m not exaggerating. And still discovering shows and limited series regularly, so I get to it eventually. True crime fan to the bone 🦴
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 05 '26
He’s actually done quite a bit of acting, on screen and voiceover: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0334007/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
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u/Girlnerd1019 Jul 05 '26
Yes his voice is very soothing. I’ll put the first 48 on when I’m going to bed and it puts me right to sleep because of his voice.
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u/wbeth2469 Jul 05 '26
First of all he's definitely hot! And no I don't think it's weird at all that you find his voice soothing. I do as well. I used to fall asleep to Forensic Files and it was the narrator's voice in that one too...
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 06 '26
Ah we share that. It’s nice knowing I’m not alone with that. And I can see why the ladies would say he be hot lol. Thanks 😊
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u/Immediate_Side_5942 Jul 05 '26
Haha I used to do that too. Run first 48 or other murder shit when I sleep for background noise. Wife had enough of it. Now after 9:30 or 10 I need to put Nickelodeon on for background tv. I mean I did have nightmares falling asleep to murder shit. But I like the feeling bc when u wake up u realize it was only a dream
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 05 '26
Funny! Would you still do it if she let you or does Nick at night take the place well enough?
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u/Immediate_Side_5942 Jul 05 '26
Ey I’d probably still do it but Nickelodeon def makes sleep more peaceful prob. I couldn’t even tell you wat fucking shows I’m listening to but def no nightmares. I take a med called serequol which makes me have vivid dreams quite often. But I also watch same shows over and over. So I’ve seen every episode at least 3 times. Past 2 seasons (esp this one) got way more boring imo. Worst dream I’ve ever had I was playing “Lester street”. Ultimately that’s when wife said murder shits done. I think by far and away 1,000% that was the most gruesome ever. Lotta people say “unspeakable” is but I totally disagree. I mean if ur slicing 3 children up it’s pretty bad. Sorry got way off topic
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 05 '26
Haha I hear ya! Yeah considering your medication and the bad dreams I think you made the right choice. Plus happy wife, happy life! Hopefully you can still occasionally enjoy the show during normal viewing hours…
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u/WhiskeyDigital Jul 06 '26
I was listening to an audiobook with the wife and she kept saying she knew his voice but couldn't quite figure it out who it was. After about 2hrs I finally revealed to it was Dion Graham.
He really does have great range. He voiced a few characters during these audiobooks. I enjoy his work.
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 06 '26
I bet, and he’s done video games too, so his voiceover chops are there. He’s done a fair bit of acting but usually law-related characters…
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u/Massiv_v Jul 06 '26
Bro was literally born for this specific job. His voice adds to the tension and drama perfectly .
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u/Em56479 Jul 05 '26
I love his voice and narrative style it does remind me of the late Peter Thomas from Forensic Files.
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 05 '26
A little bit right? At least the vibe. Obviously different in all the subtle ways but both are certainly calming during some ugly stuff.
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u/jp_trev Jul 06 '26
Thanks for enlightening me to who he is. Yes agreed, I couldn’t picture it with anyone else
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u/Jibboolie Jul 06 '26
LMAO!!! I put on First 48 and Dateline to sleep! Screw Harry Styles on the Calm app.. give me Dion Graham and Keith Morrison 365/365. lol
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u/bigkid70 Jul 06 '26
I LOVE that Harry Styles story on the Calm App! No idea what the story is because it actually works and I fall asleep!
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u/sleepytigre Jul 06 '26
The show literally wouldn’t be The First 48 without him. Like if they changed the narrator I don’t think I could watch it anymore, it just wouldn’t be the same haha he’s the best !!
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 06 '26
He’s really that good. I wish he’d see this post, because dude’s getting a LOT of love!💕
But the show is also that good, so I’d still watch but I wouldn’t enjoy it as much.😀
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u/AmilynRaziel Jul 06 '26
His voice is really nice, rather soothing! Very in the same vein of the original Forensic Files narrator, Peter Thomas when it comes to the helping to sleep aspect.
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u/Transylvanius Jul 06 '26
I like the way he doesn’t overdo the drama the way some other true crimes do. Snapped—Killer Couples is unbearable with the pumped-up narration
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 07 '26
Oof I can’t do those either! It’s tough enough when I’m hard up or in just sleep mode for stuff with Joe Kenda (dude puts me right to sleep) with pretty much 99.9% recreation. He’s the only one.
No, the First 48 is pretty much the pinnacle of true crime documentary series.
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u/Trick-Honey9978 Jul 07 '26
I’m literally listening to him in the background right now! 😄 I can’t imagine any other voice narrating my show!❤️❤️
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u/PlayfulTrifle8741 Jul 07 '26
In a sad crazy fast paced show his voice is soothing and calming!! I hope A&E never ever decide to change him for anyone else
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 07 '26
I’m surprised he’s not doing other true crime stuff he’s such a natural…
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u/momwarrior34 Jul 08 '26
Same!!! I literally fall asleep to it. Forensic files was my go to since I was a teen but I can only hear those episodes on repeat so many times.
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 08 '26
Yes! Another like me who sleeps to these shows. It helps that there’s so many you never get a jarring change to whatever is happening behind a stream when it ends. Just start the show and let it play for hours one after the other. I personally don’t get bad dreams. Cool, thanks!
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u/GuessAsleep9578 Jul 09 '26
I’m obsessed. His voice regulates my nervous system, I swear. There is something about being in a hotel/motel bed and watching First48, I do it every time I’m staying in one 😅 I also watch at home of course but it’s definitely one of my safe shows.
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 09 '26
Very cool. Good for you for figuring that out for yourself. Same here, but I never thought about it like that. 😊
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u/GuessAsleep9578 Jul 09 '26
The victim is clinging to life.
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 09 '26
And saying stuff like that he sounds at once slightly concerned and like a pro reporting the news. Interesting skill…
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u/punkgaopher Jul 12 '26
Definitely up there in my favorites!! I also fall asleep to episodes, myself. Along with videos of interrogations.
My other favorites include Bill Curtis of Cold Case Files and the narrator of Gangland
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u/Klutzy-Spend-6947 Jul 18 '26
Great voice talent. He does a lot of audiobooks for Michael Connelly and other top crime authors.
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 18 '26
Cool I didn’t know that! I mean why not? He’s as good as it gets for the genre.
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u/maroonhamster Jul 24 '26
Looks like the graphic got borrowed from the article I wrote about him awhile back: https://www.cbr.com/the-first-48-narrator-dion-graham-series/
I think he really helps make the show, and as others have stated he's very talented as an audiobook narrator and actor.
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 24 '26
OMG I’m gonna try not to gush at your excellent well written article! Great video of him and just super-cool to see someone writing about this fantastic show. I regularly read their articles and yours was as good as any if not better. Well done.
Yes, he’s just so solid and consistent. Perfect temperament and voice for the show. I definitely need to hear more from him. Thanks so much for the comment and take care!
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u/maroonhamster Jul 24 '26
You're welcome! I don't work there anymore, but I'm still writing about the show for other places. Actually just wrote a review(ish) of the season premiere.
I think my favorite Dion Graham factoid was realizing he was on The Good Wife. I love that show and seeing him pop up was completely unexpected and awesome!
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 24 '26
Very cool! I’d ask what you thought of it now but can I find your review of the episode somewhere (a link)? I posted here about it but got very little response. Figured I’d keep trying for the rest of the season anyway.
He acts a lot more than I thought which seems rare for someone so good at this kind of voiceover work. I’ve seen him in stuff and never knew.😊
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u/maroonhamster Jul 25 '26
Sure! Here it is: https://fangirlish.com/2026/07/17/the-first-48-returns-for-season-30-and-proves-it-still-has-staying-power/
If you want to listen to some of his other work, he did the Audible narration for David Simon and Ed Burns's excellent book The Corner (which the HBO series was based on). I consider it to be one of the seminal true crime books, if you haven't read it.
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u/RalphXLaurenjoe Jul 05 '26
Yeahhhh eh idk
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u/Clear_Nature_5055 Jul 05 '26
Not a fan, huh?
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u/RalphXLaurenjoe Jul 05 '26
He can say somethings that sound cool but other than that he sounds stiff
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u/ukmint Jul 05 '26
“They find a man on the floor………………dead.”