Dark Winds (2022)
A gripping psychological crime thriller set on the Navajo Nation, where two officers pursue justice through mystery, culture, and personal reckoning.
Dark Winds - Series Information
- Original Title: Dark Winds
- First Air Year: 2022
- Last Air Year: 2026
- Created by: Graham Roland
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 28
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Navajo
- First Air Date: June 12, 2022 (United States - TV-MA), June 12, 2022 (Canada - 18+), June 12, 2022 (United Kingdom - 15), June 12, 2022 (Germany - 12), June 12, 2022 (France - 18), June 12, 2022 (India - A), June 12, 2022 (Australia - MA 15+), June 12, 2022 (Brazil - 18), June 12, 2022 (Spain - 18), June 12, 2022 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: AMC
- Alternative Titles: Dark Winds - Der Wind des Bösen (DE)
- Production Companies: AMC Studios, Rolling Cactus, Eleventh Northwest, Startling Television, Tina Elmo Productions, Fevre River Packet Company, Wildwood Enterprises, Wirthwhile TV
- Production Countries: United States of America
Dark Winds - Plot
This psychological thriller follows two Navajo police officers, Leaphorn and Chee, in the 1970s Southwest as their search for clues in a grisly double murder case forces them to challenge their own spiritual beliefs and come to terms with the trauma of their pasts.
Dark Winds - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at the world of Dark Winds:
Justice has no boundaries.
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Dark Winds - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Graham Roland
Main Cast
- Zahn McClarnon
- Kiowa Gordon
- Jessica Matten
- Deanna Allison
- Natalie Benally
- Andersen Kee
- Wade Adakai
- Elva Guerra
- A Martinez
- DezBaa'
Writers
- Erica Tremblay
- John Wirth
- Max Hurwitz
- Steven Judd
- Billy Luther
Executive Producers
- Vince Gerardis
- Anne Hillerman
- Robert Redford
- George R.R. Martin
- Graham Roland
Dark Winds - FAQs
Is Dark Winds based on a true story or book?
Dark Winds is based on the Leaphorn & Chee mystery novel series written by Tony Hillerman, beginning with The Blessing Way (1970). The novels are fictional but draw authentically from Navajo culture, traditions, and the landscapes of the American Southwest. The TV series adapts these stories for a modern audience.
Will there be a Season 4 of Dark Winds?
Yes, Dark Winds has been renewed for a fourth season, which is currently in production. Season 4 will consist of 8 episodes, matching the episode count of Season 3. The series remains an active, returning production on AMC with a 2026 projected air year.
Where can you watch Dark Winds online?
Dark Winds is available to stream on Netflix, AMC+, and YouTube TV. It can also be accessed via AMC+ through Apple TV, Amazon, and Roku channels, as well as Philo and Spectrum On Demand. Episodes are available to purchase on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Who are the main actors in Dark Winds?
Dark Winds stars Zahn McClarnon as Lt. Joe Leaphorn and Kiowa Gordon as Jim Chee. The principal cast also includes Jessica Matten as Bernadette Manuelito, Deanna Allison as Emma Leaphorn, A Martinez as Sheriff Gordo Sena, Elva Guerra as Sally Growing Thunder, and Jenna Elfman as Special Agent Sylvia Washington.
How many seasons and episodes does Dark Winds have?
Dark Winds currently spans 4 seasons with a total of 28 episodes. Season 1 and Season 2 each contain 6 episodes, while Seasons 3 and 4 expanded to 8 episodes each. The series premiered on AMC on June 12, 2022, and is still in active production.
What is Dark Winds about?
Dark Winds is a psychological crime thriller set in the 1970s American Southwest. It follows Navajo Tribal Police officers Lt. Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee as they investigate a brutal double murder. The case forces both men to confront their spiritual beliefs, cultural identity, and the unresolved traumas of their personal pasts.
How has Dark Winds been received by critics?
Dark Winds has earned strong critical praise, particularly for Zahn McClarnon's lead performance and its authentic portrayal of Navajo culture. Critics have highlighted its slow-burn tension, atmospheric cinematography, and the rarity of a prestige drama centered on Indigenous characters and storytelling. It holds favorable scores on Rotten Tomatoes across multiple seasons.
What is the content rating for Dark Winds?
Dark Winds is rated TV-MA in the United States, indicating it is intended for mature audiences only. The series contains strong language, violence, and thematically intense content including depictions of crime, trauma, and spiritual conflict. Viewer discretion is advised for audiences under 17.
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