Who narrates the opening of Law & Order: SVU?

Steven Zirnkilton narrates the opening of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. His deep voice delivers the series’ identifying introduction before the episode begins, including the description of New York’s Special Victims Unit.

Zirnkilton became closely associated with the Law & Order franchise because he also narrated the openings of several other U.S. entries. The narration helps establish the shows’ shared format: police investigate crimes, prosecutors pursue cases, and the story moves through the criminal-justice system.

Viewers sometimes attribute the voice to Dick Wolf, the creator and producer, or to actors such as Sam Waterston, who played a prominent prosecutor in the original Law & Order. Neither is correct. Mike Post is another frequent mix-up, but he is associated with the franchise’s theme music rather than the spoken opening narration.