Dark Winds

The series follows three Navajo Tribal Police officers, Joe Leaphorn, Bernadette Manuelito, and Jim Chee, in the 1970s Four Corners area of the American Southwest.{{Cite web|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=July 9, 2021|title=Graham Roland, Robert Redford, George R.R. Martin Making 'Dark Winds' Series Starring Zahn McClarnon|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/robert-redford-george-r-r-martin-team-for-dark-winds-zahn-mcclarnon-1234979828/|url-status=live|access-date=August 29, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709143228/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/robert-redford-george-r-r-martin-team-for-dark-winds-zahn-mcclarnon-1234979828/ |archive-date=July 9, 2021 }}

• Zahn McClarnon as Joe Leaphorn, a veteran tribal police lieutenant based in Kayenta, a town in Navajo County{{Cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=July 9, 2021|title=AMC Orders 'Dark Winds' Series From Graham Roland, George R.R. Martin & Robert Redford Based On Tony Hillerman Books; Zahn McClarnon & Kiowa Gordon Star|url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/dark-winds-amc-series-graham-roland-george-rr-martin-zahn-mcclarnon-kiowa-gordon-leaphorn-and-chee-tony-hillerman-1234789055/|url-status=live|access-date=August 29, 2021|website=Deadline|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709143227/https://deadline.com/2021/07/dark-winds-amc-series-graham-roland-george-rr-martin-zahn-mcclarnon-kiowa-gordon-leaphorn-and-chee-tony-hillerman-1234789055/ |archive-date=July 9, 2021 }}
• Kiowa Gordon as Jim Chee, an undercover FBI agent who becomes Leaphorn's newest deputy
• Jessica Matten as Bernadette Manuelito, a Navajo tribal police sergeant who works closely with Leaphorn{{Cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=August 23, 2021|title='Dark Winds': Jessica Matten Joins AMC Series From Graham Roland, George R.R. Martin & Robert Redford|url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/dark-winds-jessica-matten-amc-series-graham-roland-george-r-r-martin-robert-redford-1234819830/|url-status=live|access-date=August 29, 2021|website=Deadline|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824003507/https://deadline.com/2021/08/dark-winds-jessica-matten-amc-series-graham-roland-george-r-r-martin-robert-redford-1234819830/ |archive-date=August 24, 2021 }}
• Deanna Allison{{efn|Allison is a Navajo member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes{{cite news |title=Farmington High School graduate revels in role on AMC series 'Dark Winds' |first=Mike |last=Easterling |date=July 22, 2022 |work=Farmington Daily Times |url=https://www.daily-times.com/story/news/local/farmington/2022/07/10/amcs-dark-winds-cast-includes-farmington-high-school-graduate-deanna-allison/65369975007/ |access-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208195255/https://www.daily-times.com/story/news/local/farmington/2022/07/10/amcs-dark-winds-cast-includes-farmington-high-school-graduate-deanna-allison/65369975007/ |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |url-status=live}}}} as Emma Leaphorn, Leaphorn's wife and a nurse
• Rainn Wilson as Dan "Devoted Dan" DeMarco (season 1), a degenerate missionary and used-car dealer who relies on his faith to recruit followers{{Cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=September 2, 2021|title='Dark Winds': Rainn Wilson Joins AMC Series From Graham Roland, George R.R. Martin & Robert Redford|url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/dark-winds-rainn-wilson-joins-amc-series-from-graham-roland-george-r-r-martin-robert-redford-1234826278/|url-status=live|access-date=September 3, 2021|website=Deadline|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902173503/https://deadline.com/2021/09/dark-winds-rainn-wilson-joins-amc-series-from-graham-roland-george-r-r-martin-robert-redford-1234826278/ |archive-date=September 2, 2021 }}
• Elva Guerra{{efn|Guerra is a member of the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma{{cite news |title=Q&A: Two-Spirit Actor and 'Reservation Dogs' Star Elva Guerra |first=Neely |last=Bardwell |date=June 29, 2023 |work=Native News Online |url=https://nativenewsonline.net/arts-entertainment/q-a-two-spirit-actor-and-reservation-dogs-star-elva-guerra |access-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629162818/https://nativenewsonline.net/arts-entertainment/q-a-two-spirit-actor-and-reservation-dogs-star-elva-guerra |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |url-status=live}}}} as Sally Growing Thunder (seasons 1–2), a pregnant teenager who is taken in by the Leaphorns
• Jeremiah Bitsui as James Tso / Hoski (season 1), member of the Buffalo Society, an extremist group, masquerading as a priest
• Eugene Brave Rock as Frank Nakai (season 1), a Vietnam War veteran and member of the Buffalo Society, an extremist group
• Noah Emmerich as Leland Whitover (season 1), a burned-out FBI agent whose career is dying and who is Chee's handler{{Cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=August 19, 2021|title='Dark Winds': Noah Emmerich Joins AMC Series From Graham Roland, George R.R. Martin & Robert Redford|url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/dark-winds-noah-emmerich-joins-amc-series-from-graham-roland-george-r-r-martin-robert-redford-1234818208/|url-status=live|access-date=August 29, 2021|website=Deadline|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819232328/https://deadline.com/2021/08/dark-winds-noah-emmerich-joins-amc-series-from-graham-roland-george-r-r-martin-robert-redford-1234818208/ |archive-date=August 19, 2021 }}
• Nicholas Logan as Colton Wolf (season 2), a twisted assassin with a secret that puts him on a collision course with Leaphorn

• Isabel DeRoy-Olson as Billie Tsosie (season 4)

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• Jonathan Adams as Lester (season 1)
• Ryan Begay as Guy Atcitty (season 1; guest seasons 2–3)
• DezBaa' as Helen Atcitty (seasons 1–2; guest season 3)
• Amelia Rico as Ada Growing Thunder (season 1)
• Rob Tepper as Pete Samuels (season 1)
• Betty Ann Tsosie as Margaret Cigaret (season 1; guest seasons 2–3)
• Quenton Yazzie as Raymond Begay (season 1)
• Ryffin Phoenix as Wanda McGinnis (season 1)
• Natalie Benally as Officer Natalie Bluehouse
• John Diehl as B.J. Vines (season 2; guest season 1)
• A Martinez as Sheriff Lawrence "Gordo" Sena (season 2–present)
• Jacqueline Byers as Mary Landon (season 2)
• Jeri Ryan as Rosemary Vines (season 2; guest season 3)
• Andersen Kee as Officer Harold Bigman (season 2–present)
• Wade Adakai as Officer Gary Felix (season 2–present)
• Tonantzin Carmelo as Border Patrol Agent Eleanda Garza (season 3)
• Alex Meraz as Border Patrol Agent Ivan Muños (season 3)
• Terry Serpico as Border Patrol Senior Chief Ed Henry (season 3)
• Jenna Elfman as FBI Special Agent Sylvia Washington (season 3)
• Derek Hinkey as Shorty Bowlegs (season 3)
• Bodhi Okuma Linton as George Bowlegs (season 3)
• Bruce Greenwood as Tom Spenser (season 3)
• Raoul Max Trujillo as Budge Baca (season 3)
• Christopher Heyerdahl as Dr. Reynolds (season 3)
• Carly Roland as Teddi Isaacs (season 3)

• Chaske Spencer as Sonny (season 4)
• Luke Barnett as FBI Special Agent Toby Shaw (season 4)

{{Div col end}}

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• Stafford Douglas as Phil Springer (season 1)
• Shawnee Pourier as Anna Atcitty (season 1)
• Makena Ann Hullinger as Nanobah (season 1)
• Geraldine Keams as Grandma Alice (season 1)
• Robert I. Mesa as Tomas Charley (season 2)
• Joseph Runningfox as Henry Leaphorn (seasons 2–3)
• Sarah Luther as Joyce Leaphorn (seasons 2–3)
• Tank Jones as Deloyd Webster (season 2)
• Phil Burke as Michael Halsey (season 3)
• Casimere Jollette as Suzanne Thompson (season 3)
• Melissa Chambers as Gladine (season 3)
• Robert Knepper as the Priest (season 3)

• Franka Potente (season 4)

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Executive producers George R. R. Martin and Robert Redford make uncredited cameo appearances as a pair of detainees playing chess in the third season premiere.{{Cite web|last=Hamadeh|first=Yasmeen|date=March 10, 2025|title= Robert Redford Steps Out of Retirement for Surprise Cameo|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/robert-redford-steps-out-of-retirement-for-surprise-dark-winds-cameo/|access-date=March 13, 2025|website=The Daily Beast}}

{{Series overview

| color1 = #452936

| link1 = #Season 1 (2022)

| episodes1 = 6

| start1 = {{Start date|2022|06|12}}

| end1 = {{End date|2022|07|17}}

| color2 = #363636

| link2 = #Season 2 (2023)

| episodes2 = 6

| start2 = {{Start date|2023|07|30}}

| end2 = {{End date|2023|09|03}}

| color3 = #DAA520

| link3 = #Season 3 (2025)

| episodes3 = 8

| start3 = {{Start date|2025|03|9}}

| end3 = {{End date|2025|04|27}}

}}

{{Long plot|section|plural=yes|date=May 2023}}

The first season is primarily based on Listening Woman (1978), with elements from People of Darkness (1980).

{{Episode table |background=#452936 |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |writerT=Teleplay by |airdate= |viewers= |country=U.S. |episodes={{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 1

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| Title = Monster Slayer

| DirectedBy = Chris Eyre

| WrittenBy = Graham Roland

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|06|12}}

| ShortSummary = In Gallup, New Mexico, robbers in a helicopter rob an armored truck, killing two guards. The helicopter flies over the nearby Navajo reservation, where it is seen by an older man named Hosteen Tso. Three weeks later, Tso is found dead in a motel room along with Anna Atcitty, the granddaughter of a Medicine Woman he was visiting due to ailments. Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo Tribal Police investigates the murders; Tso's body is mutilated, while Anna's body is unmarked. Leaphorn has a personal history with Anna's family, which he does not disclose to his colleagues. The medicine woman is blind, and in a catatonic state since witnessing the murders. Leaphorn's wife, Emma, a nurse, convinces him to investigate the living conditions of a pregnant girl named Sally Growing Thunder, who visited her clinic. Leaphorn's deputy Bernadette Manuelito visits Sally's home but is intimidated by her mother, a witch, and convinced the woman cursed her. Leaphorn is joined by Deputy Jim Chee, who is an undercover agent for the FBI. Agent Whitover, who was responsible for planting Chee, believes the armored truck robbery was committed by a Navajo radical group called the Buffalo Society and wants Chee to use the motel killings as a cover to investigate. Leaphorn visits Tso's property, where he finds that his water supply has been contaminated – the helicopter is at the bottom of his reservoir with a dead body inside.

| Viewers = 1.38{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-sunday-6-12-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 6.12.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated|work=Showbuzz Daily|first=Mitch|last=Metcalf|date=June 14, 2022|access-date=June 14, 2022}}

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 2

| EpisodeNumber2 = 2

| Title = The Male Rain Approaches

| DirectedBy = Chris Eyre

| WrittenBy = Anthony Florez

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|06|19}}

| ShortSummary = Flashbacks reveal that Anna Atcitty was dating Leaphorn's son Joe Jr., who worked at an oil drilling site with her father, Guy. At a Peyote ritual, a friend who had a premonitory vision warned Guy not to go to work that day. Guy warned several others, but not Joe Jr., who was killed in an explosion at the drilling site. Lester, the trading post owner, overheard the warning and told Leaphorn about it. Leaphorn confronted Guy and the two fought. Leaphorn shot Guy in the leg as he approached with an axe. In the present, Leaphorn identifies Jim Chee as an undercover FBI agent and convinces him to work as a double agent using the FBI's resources to assist in the double homicide case. Chee has water from Tso's property tested and confirms Leaphorn's suspicion that hydraulic fluid is in the water. An autopsy report reveals that Anna was apparently "scared to death". Emma convinces Sally Growing Thunder to stay at the Leaphorns' home, believing Sally is unsafe on her family's property. The armored truck robbers are revealed to include a man posing as Tso's Catholic priest grandson. A scarred man living on the Growing Thunder property chases down and abducts a Mormon tourist family who unknowingly purchased a painting at a local gift shop where some of the money from the heist was stashed.

| Viewers = 0.984{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-sunday-6-19-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 6.19.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated|work=Showbuzz Daily|first=Mitch|last=Salem|date=June 21, 2022|access-date=June 21, 2022}}

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 3

| EpisodeNumber2 = 3

| Title = K'e

| DirectedBy = Sanford Bookstaver

| WrittenBy = Maya Rose Dittloff & Razelle Benally

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|06|26}}

| ShortSummary = Money from the robbery is funneled through Devoted Dan's car dealership. Wanda, the painter wife of gift shop owner Lester, is also part of the money laundering. Leaphorn and Chee ask Raymond Begay to dive the pond on Tso's property, looking for evidence of the helicopter. Emma invites her niece, Nanobah, to stay at the Leaphorns' home as she celebrates her Kinaaldá. Leaphorn retrieves Anna Atcitty's and Hosteen Tso's bodies when the coroner releases them. Manuelito and Chee investigate the whereabouts of the missing Mormon family. Chee shows Manuelito where he lived on the reservation before he and his mom left because of his mom's abusive boyfriend. Manuelito invites Chee to the celebration at the end of Nanobah's Kinaaldá. Sally gets scared when Father Benjamin Tso comes to thank Leaphorn for burying his grandfather and has to be taken to the hospital. While there, Sally tells Emma the scarred man, Frank Nakai, is the father of her child.

| Viewers = 1.02{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-sunday-6-26-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 6.26.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated|work=Showbuzz Daily|first=Mitch|last=Metcalf|date=June 28, 2022|access-date=June 28, 2022}}

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 4

| EpisodeNumber2 = 4

| Title = Hooghandi

| DirectedBy = Sanford Bookstaver

| WrittenBy = Billy Luther

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|07|03}}

| ShortSummary = Raymond finds a helmet, but is shot by Father Tso. He and Frank Nakai are revealed to be buying up land around the mine for the Buffalo Society. Leaphorn suspects all of the crimes on the reservation are related. He and Chee talk to Father Tso, who admits he has a brother who attended Catholic school. Leaphorn and Chee look through the school records and discover there are twin Tso brothers. They realize James has been impersonating Father Benjamin Tso. Leaphorn and Chee make a plan to arrest James, while James and Frank make plans to ambush them. Chee tells Agent Whitover about Frank and James, who the FBI knows as Hoski. Leaphorn invites Chee over for dinner. At dinner, Emma tells Leaphorn she wants Sally to stay with them when she gets out of the hospital. The next day, Manuelito goes to the pond looking for Raymond and hears the shoot-out between Leaphorn, Chee, James, and Frank. She helps to arrest Frank, but James escapes on Manuelito's horse. During the arrest, it is revealed that Frank and Chee had met before, which Leaphorn did not know, and Manuelito finds out Chee is an FBI agent. Chee tells Leaphorn the FBI will put in a request to have Frank transferred. Chee and Leaphorn fight.

| Viewers = 0.823{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-sunday-7-3-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 7.3.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated|work=Showbuzz Daily|first=Mitch|last=Salem|date=July 6, 2022|access-date=July 7, 2022}}

| LineColor = 452936

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 5

| EpisodeNumber2 = 5

| Title = Ha'íínlni

| DirectedBy = Chris Eyre

| WrittenBy = Erica Tremblay

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|07|10}}

| ShortSummary = Chee leaves the reservation, saying goodbye to Manuelito, but she remains angry with him. He tends to a stranded motorist, who clues Chee into the too-good-to-be-true deals at Devoted Dan's car lot. Chee interviews Dan, who explains he is being blackmailed to help the Buffalo Society launder money. Chee also learns Dan was previously interviewed by Whitover, but the FBI has nothing on file. Chee retrieves the file from another agent, whom Whitover had asked to destroy the file. The file reveals Whitover knew about Tso. Leaphorn interviews Frank, trying to discern Tso's location. Frank implies there is more to the accident that killed Joe Jr. than meets the eye. Leaphorn asks Guy Atcitty about the day of the accident, and learns that there may be uranium in the area. Leaphorn and Guy make amends as they each mourn their lost child. Manuelito, alone at the station, hallucinates, and awakens to find that Frank has escaped with the help of Sally's mother. She tells Leaphorn, who goes home and tells Emma to take Sally and go someplace safe because he believes Frank will come for Sally since she is carrying his child. Emma tells Leaphorn that Sally admitted that the real father of her child is Tso. Manuelito goes to Sally's home and fights with the witch. A fire starts, and Manuelito barely escapes, but the witch dies. After she dies, her curses start to lift and Wanda, who has been in a coma since a spider bit her, wakes up and starts talking about the heist. When Manuelito returns to the station, Whitover arrives, intending to take custody of Frank, and he and Manuelito set out to search for him. Leaphorn tracks Tso on foot, and arrives to see Frank tending to a fire.

| Viewers = 1.07{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-sunday-7-10-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 7.10.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated|work=Showbuzz Daily|first=Mitch|last=Metcalf|date=July 12, 2022|access-date=July 21, 2022}}

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 6

| EpisodeNumber2 = 6

| Title = HózhóoNaasháa

| DirectedBy = Chris Eyre

| WrittenBy = Maya Rose Dittloff

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|07|17}}

| ShortSummary = A flashback shows Whitover and Tso discussing the armored car heist, revealing Whitover was in on the robbery. Chee radios Manuelito to warn her about Whitover, speaking Diné so Whitover cannot understand. Tso and Frank make a plan to escape by using the Mormons as cover, however the father crashes while going to retrieve a van; he is spotted and rescued by Guy Atcitty. Chee confronts Whitover, who shoots and wounds Chee. Tso and Frank discover Leaphorn in their cave hideout and try to smoke him out, but Leaphorn is able to escape and disable their vehicle. Leaphorn captures the two Buffalo Society members, but is ambushed by Whitover who shoots Frank and leaves with half of the robbery money. As Whitover tries to talk his way past Chee, he is shot and killed by Guy. Leaphorn tracks Tso, but Tso commits suicide. Meanwhile, Manuelito and Chee rescue the Mormons and dynamite the cave, burying Frank's and Whitover's bodies. Three months later, the cave is excavated; Frank's body is missing, possibly still alive. Leaphorn offers Chee, who has left the FBI, a position and the two shake hands.

| Viewers = 1.26{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-sunday-7-17-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 7.17.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated|work=Showbuzz Daily|first=Mitch|last=Salem|date=July 19, 2022|access-date=July 21, 2022}}

| LineColor = 452936

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}}

The second season is based on People of Darkness.{{cite web |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/07/30/big-changes-ahead-for-kiowa-gordon-in-dark-winds-second-season/ |title=Big changes ahead for Kiowa Gordon in 'Dark Winds' second season |website=Boston Herald |first=Stephen |last=Schaefer |date=July 30, 2023 |access-date=July 31, 2023}}

{{Episode table |background=#363636 |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |writerT=Teleplay by |airdate= |viewers= |country=U.S. |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 7

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| Title = Na'niłkaadii (Sheep Dog)

| DirectedBy = Chris Eyre

| WrittenBy = John Wirth & Rhiana Yazzie

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|07|30}}

| ShortSummary =

| Viewers =

| LineColor = 363636

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 8

| EpisodeNumber2 = 2

| Title = Wonders of the Unknown

| DirectedBy = Chris Eyre

| WrittenBy = Max Hurwitz & DezBaa'

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|08|06}}

| ShortSummary =

| Viewers = 0.788{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-cbs-wins-among-younger-adults-with-big-brother-sunday-return/|title=Sunday Ratings: CBS Wins Among Younger Adults with 'Big Brother' Sunday Return|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=August 8, 2023|access-date=August 9, 2023|archive-date=August 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809200536/https://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-cbs-wins-among-younger-adults-with-big-brother-sunday-return/|url-status=live}}

| LineColor = 363636

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 9

| EpisodeNumber2 = 3

| Title = Antigonish

| DirectedBy = Michael Nankin

| WrittenBy = Steven Paul Judd

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|08|13}}

| ShortSummary =

| Viewers = 0.975{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-cbs-wins-benefits-from-pga-golf-overrun-into-prime-time/|title=Sunday Ratings: CBS Wins, Benefits from PGA Golf Overrun into Prime Time|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=August 14, 2023|access-date=November 1, 2024}}

| LineColor = 363636

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 10

| EpisodeNumber2 = 4

| Title = The March

| DirectedBy = Michael Nankin

| WrittenBy = Jason Gavin

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|08|20}}

| ShortSummary =

| Viewers = 1.016{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-cbs-wins-in-demos-close-battle-with-abc-for-tops-in-total-viewers/|title=Sunday Ratings: CBS Wins in Demos, Close Battle with ABC for Tops in Total Viewers/|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=August 21, 2023|access-date=November 1, 2024}}

| LineColor = 363636

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 11

| EpisodeNumber2 = 5

| Title = Black Hole Sun

| DirectedBy = Billy Luther

| WrittenBy = Billy Luther & Max Hurwitz

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|08|27}}

| ShortSummary =

| Viewers =

| LineColor = 363636

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 12

| EpisodeNumber2 = 6

| Title = Hózhó náhásdlįį (Beauty Is Restored)

| DirectedBy = Chris Eyre

| WrittenBy = Graham Roland & John Wirth

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2023|09|03}}

| ShortSummary =

| Viewers =

| LineColor = 363636

}}

}}

The third season is based on Dance Hall of the Dead (1973) and The Sinister Pig (2003).{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/dark-winds-season-3-1235281417/|title='Dark Winds' Season 3 May Deliver the Year's Best Episode of TV

|magazine=Rolling Stone |first=Alan |last=Sepinwall |date=March 8, 2025 |access-date=March 9, 2025}}

{{Episode table |background=#DAA520 |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |writerT=Teleplay by |airdate= |viewers= |country=U.S. |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 13

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| Title = Ye'iitsoh (Big Monster)

| DirectedBy = Chris Eyre

| WrittenBy = John Wirth & Steven Paul Judd

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|9}}

| ShortSummary =

| Viewers = 0.712{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-cbs-and-espn-share-primetime-leadership/ |title=Sunday Ratings: CBS and ESPN Share Primetime Leadership|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=March 12, 2025|access-date=March 20, 2025}}

| LineColor = DAA520

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 14

| EpisodeNumber2 = 2

| Title = Náá'tsoh (Big Eyes)

| DirectedBy = Michael Nankin

| WrittenBy = Rhiana Yazzie

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|16}}

| ShortSummary =

| Viewers = 0.833{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-abc-tops-in-key-female-demos-cbs-leads-in-total-viewers/ |title=Sunday Ratings: ABC Tops in Key Female Demos, CBS Leads in Total Viewers|work=Programming Insider|last=Pucci|first=Douglas|date=March 18, 2025|access-date=March 20, 2025}}

| LineColor = DAA520

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 15

| EpisodeNumber2 = 3

| Title = Ch'į́į́dii (Ghosts)

| DirectedBy = Michael Nankin

| WrittenBy = Max Hurwitz & Billy Luther

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|23}}

| ShortSummary =

| Viewers = 0.646{{cite web|url=https://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-cbs-tops-prime-time-tnt-sports-leads-cable-with-ncaa-tournament-action/|title=Sunday Ratings: CBS Tops Prime Time, TNT Sports Leads Cable with NCAA Tournament Action|work=Programming Insider|first=Douglas|last=Pucci|date=March 26, 2025|access-date=March 29, 2025}}

| LineColor = DAA520

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{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 16

| EpisodeNumber2 = 4

| Title = Chahałheeł (Darkness Falls)

| DirectedBy = Chris Eyre

| WrittenBy = Thomas Brady & Erica Tremblay

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2025|3|30}}

| ShortSummary =

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| Title = Ábidoo'niidę́ę́ (What We Had Been Told)

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| Title = T'áá Áłts'íísígo (Just a Small Piece)

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| WrittenBy = Thomas Brady & Erica Tremblay

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In July 2021, it was announced that AMC had greenlighted Dark Winds for a six-episode order. The series is created by Graham Roland, who executive produces with Zahn McClarnon, George R. R. Martin, Robert Redford, Tina Elmo, Vince Gerardis, Vince Calandra, and Chris Eyre. Redford previously produced four other adaptations of the Leaphorn & Chee series: The Dark Wind (1991), Skinwalkers (2002), Coyote Waits (2003), and A Thief of Time (2004). Calandra served as showrunner, and Eyre directed the pilot. The series is produced by AMC Networks and Dark Winds Productions.{{Cite web|last=Vitu|first=Teya|date=August 31, 2021|title=Hillerman-based TV series Dark Winds in production in Santa Fe|url=https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/hillerman-based-tv-series-dark-winds-in-production-in-santa-fe/article_a8878ae2-0a92-11ec-8bd2-fbe703c8385d.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 3, 2021|website=The Santa Fe New Mexican|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831222128/https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/hillerman-based-tv-series-dark-winds-in-production-in-santa-fe/article_a8878ae2-0a92-11ec-8bd2-fbe703c8385d.html |archive-date=August 31, 2021 }} In May 2022, Sanford Bookstaver was announced as an additional director.{{Cite web |last=Ekong |first=Uduak-Abasi |date=May 22, 2022 |title='Dark Winds': Trailer, Release Date, Cast, and Everything We Know So Far About the AMC Thriller Series |url=https://collider.com/dark-winds-trailer-release-date-cast-and-everything-we-know-so-far-about-the-amc-thriller-series/ |access-date=May 24, 2022 |website=Collider}}

In June 2022, AMC renewed the series for a six-episode second season.{{cite web |last=White |first=Peter |title='Dark Winds' Renewed For Season 2 At AMC & AMC+ |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/dark-winds-renewed-for-season-2-amc-1235049374/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=June 21, 2022 |access-date=June 21, 2022}} John Wirth replaced Calandra as showrunner for the second season.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/dark-winds-john-wirth-replaces-vince-calandra-showrunner-season-2-1235089200/ |title='Dark Winds': John Wirth Replaces Vince Calandra As Showrunner For Season 2 |website=Deadline |first=Peter |last=White |date=August 10, 2022 |access-date=July 30, 2023}} Billy Luther, who wrote for season 1, directed an episode of season 2.{{Cite web |last=Tangcay |first=Jazz |date=November 9, 2022 |title='Dark Winds' Actor Zahn McClarnon and Director Billy Luther on Why Native Representation in Hollywood Needs to Go Beyond the Screen |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/dark-winds-zahn-mcclarnon-billy-luther-native-representation-native-american-heritage-month-1235428119/ |access-date=November 20, 2022 |website=Variety}}

In September 2023, the series was renewed for a third season, which consists of eight episodes and premiered on March 9, 2025.

In February 2025, ahead of the third season premiere, the series was renewed for a fourth season which consists of eight episodes.

The writers' room is all Native American.{{Cite web|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=July 17, 2021|title=The Decades-Long Road Behind AMC's 'Dark Winds' Native American Drama Series|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/dark-winds-tv-series-amc-deal-1234983876/|url-status=live|access-date=August 29, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717145715/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/dark-winds-tv-series-amc-deal-1234983876/ |archive-date=July 17, 2021 }} In addition to Roland, writers on the series include Anthony Florez, Maya Rose Dittloff, Razelle Benally, Billy Luther, Erica Tremblay, John Wirth, Rhiana Yazzie, Max Hurwitz, DezBaa', Steven P. Judd, and Jason Gavin.{{Cite web |date=February 1, 2022 |title=Dark Winds (2021–2022) |url=https://directories.wga.org/project/1220216/dark-winds/ |access-date=May 18, 2022 |website=Writers Guild of America West}}

Alongside the series announcement, Zahn McClarnon and Kiowa Gordon were cast as Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. In August 2021, Noah Emmerich was cast as Whitover. Jessica Matten was cast as Bernadette Manuelito. Rainn Wilson was cast as Devoted Dan in early September. In February 2022, Deanna Allison was announced as co-starring in the series as Joe's wife Emma Leaphorn, in Allison's "first major television role".{{cite web |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title=Dark Winds: Deanna Allison Joins AMC Series From Graham Roland, George R.R. Martin & Robert Redford |url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/dark-winds-deanna-allison-dark-winds-amc-graham-role-george-rr-martin-robert-redford-1234958251/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |date=February 23, 2022}}

In January 2023, Nicholas Logan and Jeri Ryan were announced to have joined the cast for the second season as Colton Wolf and Rosemary Vines, respectively.{{Cite web|last1=Petski|first1=Denise|last2=Andreeva|first2=Nellie |date=January 12, 2023|title='Dark Winds': Nicholas Logan & Jeri Ryan Join Season 2 Cast Of AMC Series|url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/dark-winds-nicholas-logan-jeri-ryan-season-2-cast-amc-series-1235220384/|access-date=January 12, 2023|website=Deadline Hollywood}}

In April 2024, Jenna Elfman, Bruce Greenwood, Raoul Max Trujillo, Tonantzin Carmelo, Alex Meraz, Terry Serpico, Derek Hinkey, Phil Burke, and Christopher Heyerdahl were announced to have joined the cast for the third season.{{Cite web|last=Campione|first=Katie|date=April 10, 2024|title=Dark Winds: Jenna Elfman & Bruce Greenwood Among Extensive Season 3 Guest Cast|url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/dark-winds-jenna-elfman-bruce-greenwood-season-3-guest-cast-1235881090/|access-date=March 10, 2025|website=Deadline Hollywood}}

In March 2025, Franka Potente was announced to join the cast for the fourth season.{{Cite web|last=Cordero|first=Rosy|date=March 12, 2024|title=Franka Potente Joins AMC's Dark Winds For Season 4|url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/franka-potente-amc-dark-winds-season-4-1236323900/|access-date=March 12, 2025|website=Deadline Hollywood}} Later that month, Chaske Spencer joined the cast in a recurring role.{{Cite web|last=Cordero|first=Rosy|date=March 26, 2025|title=Chaske Spencer Joins AMC's 'Dark Winds' For Season 4|url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/chaske-spencer-amc-dark-winds-season-4-1236351808/|access-date=March 27, 2025|website=Deadline Hollywood}} In May 2025, Isabel DeRoy-Olson was announced to have joined the cast as a series regular while Luke Barnett joined the cast in a recurring role.{{Cite web|last=Cordero|first=Rosy|date=May 27, 2025|title=Dark Winds Casts Isabel DeRoy-Olson & Luke Barnett For Season 4|url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/dark-winds-cast-isabel-deroy-olson-luke-barnett-season-4-1236410061/|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=May 27, 2025}}

Filming took place in numerous locations in the Navajo Nation ({{langx|nv|Naabeehó Diné Biyaad}}), which occupies portions of northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah. Filming for the first season took place in all three states, beginning on August 23, 2021, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.{{Cite press release |date=August 31, 2021 |title=The New Mexico Film Office Announces A New Television Show, Dark Winds, is Currently in Production in New Mexico |first=Jennifer |last=Esquivel |url=https://nmfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NMFO_PressRelease_DarkWinds.pdf |agency=New Mexico Film Office |access-date=September 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903173926/https://nmfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NMFO_PressRelease_DarkWinds.pdf |archive-date=September 3, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=#1261 08/26 |website=Production Weekly |date=August 26, 2021 |url=https://www.productionweekly.com/082621gp.pdf |access-date=December 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010072602/https://www.productionweekly.com/082621gp.pdf |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |url-status=dead}} Location shooting in New Mexico occurred in Española, Tesuque Pueblo, Cochiti Pueblo and Abiquiú.{{Cite news |title='Dark Winds' filming in northern New Mexico |last=Gomez |first=Adrian |date=August 31, 2021 |work=Albuquerque Journal |url=https://www.abqjournal.com/2425018/amcs-dark-winds-filming-in-northern-new-mexico.html |access-date=September 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831211953/https://www.abqjournal.com/2425018/amcs-dark-winds-filming-in-northern-new-mexico.html |archive-date=August 31, 2021 |url-status=live}}Ghost Ranch, Abiquiú, New Mexico, per episode 4 ("Hooghandi") on-screen closing credits In mid-October, the series filmed in Mexican Hat, Utah, and Arizona's Monument Valley and Kayenta.{{Cite news |title='Dark Winds' TV series based on Tony Hillerman books to film on Navajo Nation in October; extras being sought |first=Bernie |last=Dotson |date=October 19, 2021 |work=Navajo-Hopi Observer |url=https://www.nhonews.com/news/2021/oct/19/dark-winds-tv-series-based-tony-hillerman-books-fi/ |access-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019175050/https://www.nhonews.com/news/2021/oct/19/dark-winds-tv-series-based-tony-hillerman-books-fi/ |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |url-status=live}} Filming was expected to wrap on November 11, 2021.

The second season began filming in November 2022 in Santa Fe and Tesuque Pueblo and wrapped in March 2023.{{Cite press release |title=New Mexico Film Office Announces, "Dark Winds" Season 2 Begins Filming |first=Dolores |last=Martinez |date=December 16, 2022 |agency=New Mexico Film Office |url=https://nmfilm.com/assets/uploads/NMFO-Announcing-Dark-Winds-Season-2.pdf |access-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219224146/https://nmfilm.com/assets/uploads/NMFO-Announcing-Dark-Winds-Season-2.pdf |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title='Dark Winds' second season to premiere July 30 |last=Gomez |first=Adrian |date=April 25, 2023 |work=Albuquerque Journal |url=https://www.abqjournal.com/news/local/dark-winds-second-season-to-premiere-july-30/article_5a4e7244-bb4d-55c0-b827-43a4555aacf3.html |access-date=July 27, 2023 |quote= The second season began filming in late 2022 and wrapped in March. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727085315/https://www.abqjournal.com/news/local/dark-winds-second-season-to-premiere-july-30/article_5a4e7244-bb4d-55c0-b827-43a4555aacf3.html |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |url-status=live}}

The fourth season is slated to begin filming in March 2025, with Zahn McClarnon making his directing debut.

For the first season of Dark Winds, review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 8.1/10, based on 36 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Zahn McClarnon is riveting as a coiled cop in Dark Winds, a solid procedural that derives much of its texture from an underrepresented cultural milieu."{{cite web|title=Dark Winds: Season 1|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dark_winds/s01|access-date=June 16, 2022|website=Rotten Tomatoes}} Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 80 out of 100 based on 19 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/dark-winds/season-1|title=Dark Winds: Season 1|website=Metacritic|access-date=June 16, 2022}}

For the second season, Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 8.2/10, based on 17 reviews. The critical consensus reads, "Dark Winds{{'}} sophomore season is just as captivating as its predecessor, with Zahn McClarnon reaffirming his indispensable gravitas as a leading man."{{cite web|title=Dark Winds: Season 2|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dark_winds/s02|access-date=July 31, 2023|website=Rotten Tomatoes}} Metacritic assigned a score of 84 out of 100 based on 9 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/dark-winds/season-2|title=Dark Winds: Season 2|website=Metacritic|access-date=July 31, 2023}}

For the third season, Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 8.5/10, based on 13 reviews. The critical consensus reads, "Dark Winds{{'}} third season tests Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn's resolve more than ever before, providing the outstanding Zahn McClaron with some of his best material yet."{{cite web|title=Dark Winds: Season 3|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dark_winds/s03|access-date=March 15, 2025|website=Rotten Tomatoes}} Metacritic assigned a score of 84 out of 100 based on 11 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/dark-winds/season-3|title=Dark Winds: Season 3|website=Metacritic|access-date=March 15, 2025}}

The Navajo Times criticized the series for lacking authenticity in its representation of Navajo people and language.{{cite web |last=Krisst |first=Rima |title='Dark Winds' fails authenticity test |url=https://navajotimes.com/ae/culture/dark-winds-fails-authenticity-test/ |website=Navajo Times |date=June 23, 2022 |access-date=June 26, 2022}} Series director Chris Eyre responded to the criticism, and commented, "It's critically important to all of us that we represent the culture correctly. If there's course-correction to be made, we're happy to do that."{{cite web |last=Krisst |first=Rima |title='Dark Winds' hears critics: Director says TV series will 'course-correct' for accuracy |url=https://navajotimes.com/ae/culture/dark-winds-hears-critics-director-says-tv-series-will-course-correct-for-accuracy/ |website=Navajo Times |date=June 30, 2022 |access-date=August 14, 2022}} For the second season, the series hired Navajo cultural advisor George R. Joe to help create more accurate portrayals of the Navajo culture.{{cite web |last=R. Joe |first=George |title=Stereotypes. Taboos. Critics. This Navajo cultural advisor is no stranger to stress |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2023-08-06/dark-winds-season-2-navajo-culture-advisor-guest-column |website=Los Angeles Times |date=August 6, 2022 |access-date=August 14, 2022}}

In April 2023, the first episode of the first season, "Monster Slayer", was honored as an Outstanding Fictional Television Drama by the Western Heritage Awards of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.{{cite web |url=https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/collections/awards/wha/ |title=Western Heritage Award Winners |website=National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum |access-date=July 27, 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://georgerrmartin.com/notablog/2023/07/27/the-wrangler-comes-to-town/ |title=The Wrangler Comes to Town |last=Martin |first=George R.R. |website=Not a Blog |date=July 27, 2023 |access-date=July 27, 2023}}

In May 2023, Dark Winds received several Vision Awards from the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC). It received the award for Best Drama, and for Best Performance in a Drama Series, awarded to Zahn McClarnon.{{cite web |url=https://namic.com/press-releases/namic-announces-recipients-of-annual-vision-awards-3/ |title=NAMIC Announces Recipients of Annual Vision Awards |website=NAMIC |date=May 23, 2023 |access-date=July 27, 2023}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website}} at AMC
• {{IMDb title}}

{{Tony Hillerman}}

{{AMC Shows}}

Category:2022 American television series debuts

Category:Neo-Western television series

Category:Psychological thriller television series

Category:2020s American crime drama television series

Category:2020s Western (genre) television series

Category:Multilingual television series

Category:Television series set in the 1970s

Category:Television shows filmed in New Mexico

Category:Television shows set in the United States

Category:Television shows based on American novels

Category:Television shows about Native Americans

Category:AMC (TV channel) television dramas