Created by Graham Roland.
Dark Winds premiered on June 12, 2022.
Distributed by AMC Networks.
Series Review
Dark Winds is a crime drama set on the Navajo Nation that mixes mystery, culture, and emotional storytelling.
In Season 1, we meet Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, two tribal police officers investigating strange crimes while balancing tradition and duty.
Season 2 raises the tension, revealing deeper conspiracies and emotional struggles within the community.
Season 3 dives even darker, testing friendships and beliefs as new dangers emerge.
The show stands out for its slow, thoughtful storytelling, stunning desert visuals, and powerful performances, especially from Zahn McClarnon.
It’s not a fast-paced action show, but a deep, meaningful mystery that focuses on people and culture.
If you enjoy smart detective stories with heart, history, and atmosphere, Dark Winds is worth watching.
It’s one of the few shows that respects its setting and delivers real emotional impact through its characters and storytelling.
CR Ratings – 8.4/10
Dark Winds Actors
Zahn McClarnon as Lt. Joe Leaphorn
DOB: October 24, 1966.
Bio: Native American actor of Hunkpapa Lakota heritage, celebrated for his emotionally layered and quietly powerful performances.
A veteran of stage and screen, McClarnon has built a reputation for portraying complex, introspective characters in series such as Fargo, Westworld, and Longmire.
Role: Lt. Joe Leaphorn serves as a Navajo Tribal Police officer in 1970s New Mexico, where his investigative instincts are shaped by both traditional beliefs and modern law enforcement methods.
Haunted by personal loss yet driven by duty, Leaphorn stands as the moral compass of Dark Winds, balancing cultural responsibility with the harsh realities of crime and justice on the reservation.
Seasons & Episodes: S1–3 (20 eps).
What to Expect: A deeply grounded, emotionally restrained performance that anchors the show’s tone.
Interesting facts: In addition to starring, McClarnon serves as an executive producer on the series, ensuring cultural accuracy and respectful representation of Diné (Navajo) traditions.
Notable works: Fargo, Westworld, Longmire, Reservation Dogs, Doctor Sleep.
Kiowa Gordon as Jim Chee
DOB: March 25, 1990.
Bio: Native American actor of Hualapai descent who first rose to fame in The Twilight Saga films before transitioning into more nuanced, culturally resonant television work.
Over the years, he has evolved into a thoughtful performer known for portraying characters with empathy and quiet strength.
Role: Jim Chee is a young Navajo Tribal Police officer and Leaphorn’s partner, driven, idealistic, and spiritually attuned.
Once a college-educated outsider who returns to the reservation, Chee struggles to reconcile modern law enforcement with traditional beliefs.
Seasons & Episodes: S1–3 (20 eps).
What to Expect: A performance marked by sensitivity, quiet charisma, and internal conflict.
Interesting facts: Gordon’s Native heritage and understanding of Diné (Navajo) culture bring authenticity to Chee’s portrayal.
Notable works: The Twilight Saga, The Red Road, Roswell, New Mexico, Rez Ball.
Jessica Matten as Bernadette Manuelito
DOB: November 3, 1984.
Bio: Canadian Indigenous (Métis) actress and producer known for her compelling screen presence and dedication to authentic Indigenous storytelling.
She has worked extensively in television and film while advocating for greater representation and opportunities for Native creatives.
Role: Bernadette Manuelito is a Navajo Tribal Police sergeant, competent, sharp, and fiercely loyal to her community and colleagues.
As Leaphorn’s trusted ally, she provides both investigative acumen and emotional grounding.
Seasons & Episodes: S1–3 (20 eps).
What to Expect: A performance that combines intelligence, authority, and emotional authenticity.
Interesting facts: Matten actively produces and promotes Indigenous film initiatives, supporting emerging Native voices and projects.
Notable works: Trickster, Burden of Truth, various Canadian TV and film projects.
Deanna Allison as Emma Leaphorn
DOB: November 14, 1980.
Bio: Navajo actress from New Mexico, known for bringing understated authenticity and emotional depth to her performances.
She often draws on her cultural roots to portray characters with grounded realism, making her a compelling presence in television drama.
Role: Emma Leaphorn is Joe Leaphorn’s wife and a dedicated nurse.
She serves as the emotional center of the Leaphorn household, highlighting the personal and civilian stakes behind the series’ criminal investigations.
Seasons & Episodes: S1–3 (20 eps).
What to Expect: Intimate scenes that reveal Leaphorn’s private life, Allison’s performance keeps the series’ heart beating.
Interesting facts: This role marks Allison’s first major TV series appearance, and her casting received attention from New Mexico media for its cultural significance.
Notable works: Dark Winds (breakout TV role).
Rainn Wilson as Dan “Devoted Dan” DeMarco
DOB: January 20, 1966.
Bio: American actor best known for his iconic role as Dwight Schrute on The Office.
Beyond comedy, he often explores darker, complex characters, bringing charisma and unpredictability to his performances.
Role: Dan “Devoted Dan” DeMarco is a manipulative, faith-driven used-car dealer and missionary whose morally ambiguous actions disrupt the local community.
His presence challenges the main characters’ values and drives key tension in Season 1.
Seasons & Episodes: S1 (6 eps).
What to Expect: Wilson gives the character an off-kilter energy, part comic, part sinister, that lingers after the episode ends.
Interesting facts: Critics praised Wilson for successfully pivoting from comedy to a darker dramatic role; his performance adds depth and unpredictability to the series.
Notable works: The Office, Backstrom, various film and podcast projects.
Elva Guerra as Sally Growing Thunder
DOB: 2004.
Bio: Elva Guerra is a Ponca Nation actress whose work highlights authentic Native representation.
Her portrayal of Sally Growing Thunder underscores the series’ dedication to nuanced, culturally grounded characters.
Role: Sally is a pregnant teenager whose life becomes entwined with the Leaphorns.
Her story explores vulnerability, community response, and the ripple effects of violence, adding emotional depth to early seasons.
Seasons & Episodes: S1–2 (12 eps).
What to Expect: Tender, vulnerable scenes that underline the series’ humanity.
Interesting facts: Guerra’s performance was singled out by reviewers for authenticity and emotional impact.
Notable works: Dark Winds (notable TV credit).
Jeremiah Bitsui as James Tso / Hoski
DOB: September 25, 1980.
Bio: Navajo actor with extensive TV and film experience.
Known for portraying morally complex and intense characters, he brings authenticity and gravitas to roles rooted in Native American culture.
Role: Hoski, also known as James Tso, is a dangerous and fanatical member of the Buffalo Society whose actions drive key conflicts in Season 1.
Bitsui’s portrayal emphasizes both menace and the tragic dimensions of the character.
Seasons & Episodes: S1 (6 eps).
What to Expect: A layered menace, Bitsui makes Hoski both frightening and heartbreakingly human.
Interesting facts: Bitsui grew up on Navajo Nation and often speaks about mentoring Native youth; his casting taps lived experience.
Notable works: Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Bosch.
Eugene Brave Rock as Frank Nakai
DOB: 1978.
Bio: Eugene Brave Rock is a Blackfoot actor and stunt performer known for combining physicality with emotional depth.
He gained recognition in Wonder Woman and brings the same gravitas to Dark Winds, portraying characters with weight, trauma, and authenticity.
Role: Frank Nakai is a Vietnam War veteran and member of the Buffalo Society.
His storyline examines the lingering effects of war, loyalty among comrades, and the moral complexities of violence.
Seasons & Episodes: S1 (6 eps).
What to Expect: A grounded, solemn energy, Brave Rock makes the group’s menace feel textured and real.
Interesting facts: Brave Rock started as a stunt performer and often performs his own stunts.
He is also actively involved in cultural advocacy and Indigenous projects.
Notable works: Wonder Woman, stunt and character work in film/TV.
Noah Emmerich as Leland Whitover
DOB: February 27, 1965.
Bio: American actor trained in New York, known for nuanced, dependable character work in film and television.
Emmerich often portrays layered, world-weary figures and brings emotional and procedural authenticity to supporting roles.
Role: Leland Whitover is a burned-out FBI agent who interacts with Jim Chee.
His professional fatigue, moral compromises, and occasional clashes with tribal law enforcement add tension and complexity to the narrative.
Seasons & Episodes: S1 (6 eps).
What to Expect: Subtle, restrained performances that balance authority with vulnerability.
Interesting facts: His casting lends credibility and gravitas to the FBI presence, offering a contrast to the Navajo Tribal Police’s local insight.
Notable works: The Americans, The Truman Show, Miracle.
Nicholas Logan as Colton Wolf
DOB: June 8, 1986.
Bio: American character actor known for indie films and guest roles, Logan brings intensity and subtle menace to his performances.
He gained wider attention with projects like I Care a Lot and continues to develop a reputation for complex supporting characters.
Role: Colton Wolf, also called “The Blond Man,” is a calculating and dangerous antagonist in Dark Winds Season 2.
His manipulations and secrets drive the season’s central tension, making him a key foil for the protagonists.
Seasons & Episodes: S2 (6 eps).
What to Expect: A quietly terrifying, physical performance; Logan’s Wolf is methodical and unpredictable.
Interesting facts: Logan’s performance was teased in AMC’s Season 2 press and played up as one of the season’s breakout threats.
Notable works: I Care a Lot, indie credits.
Jeri Ryan as Rosemary Vines
DOB: February 22, 1968.
Bio: American actress known for her striking presence and versatility on television.
Ryan gained fame as Seven of Nine on Star Trek: Voyager and has a long career spanning drama, sci-fi, and procedural roles.
Role: Rosemary Vines is entwined in Season 2’s institutional and political threads.
As the wife of B.J. Vines, she embodies small-town influence and personal agendas that intersect with Leaphorn and Chee’s investigations.
Seasons & Episodes: S2–3 (5 eps).
What to Expect: Classy, controlled scenes that reveal political and personal influence in the casework.
Interesting facts: Ryan’s presence brought mainstream recognition to Dark Winds Season 2, highlighting the show’s expansion into non-Navajo political dynamics.
Notable works: Star Trek: Voyager, Boston Public, Body of Proof.
John Diehl as B.J. Vines
DOB: May 1, 1950.
Bio: American actor known for his rugged authenticity and decades of work across film, television, and stage.
Diehl has built a career portraying complex, often morally gray characters who add realism and tension to any story.
Role: B.J. Vines is a wealthy, influential figure whose connections to local institutions and hidden corruption form a key thread of Dark Winds Season 2.
He stands as a quiet but formidable foil to Joe Leaphorn’s moral persistence.
Seasons & Episodes: S1–2 (6 eps).
What to Expect: Weathered authority and sometimes terrifying unpredictability, Diehl makes the role feel lived-in.
Interesting facts: Diehl’s background in theater and television gives him a knack for making even brief arcs memorable.
Notable works: Miami Vice, The Shield, Stripes, Stargate.
More Actors
Season 1 (2022)
• Natalie Benally as Natalie Bluehouse.
• DezBaa’ as Helen Atcitty.
• Ryan Begay as Guy Atcitty.
• Betty Ann Tsosie as Margaret Cigaret.
Season 2 (2023)
• Anderson Kee as Officer Harold Bigman.
• Wade Adakai as Officer Gary Felix.
• Nicholas Logan as Colton Wolf.
• Jacqueline Byers as Mary London.
Season 3 (2025)
• Alex Meraz as Ivan Munos.
• Jenna Elfman as Agent Sylvia Washington.
• Tonantzin Carmelo as Eleanda Garza.
• Raoul Max Trujillo as Budge Baca.
FAQ – Dark Winds TV Series
What is Dark Winds about?
Dark Winds is a slow-burn crime drama set in the 1970s Navajo Nation that follows Tribal Police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee as they investigate violent mysteries.
Will there be more seasons?
Yes, the series has been renewed and Season 4 is scheduled (AMC announced a Season 4 premiere date for February 15, 2026). More on EW
Where can I watch Dark Winds?
It streams on AMC / AMC+ and is also available on Netflix in many regions.
Where was Dark Winds filmed?
Dark Winds was filmed in New Mexico, mainly at Camel Rock Studios near Santa Fe and across the Navajo Nation, including Monument Valley, to capture the show’s authentic Southwestern look.
What is the show’s content rating / is it kid-friendly?
Dark Winds is rated TV-MA / TV-14-plus in many regions and contains violence, disturbing imagery and mature themes, so it’s not recommended for young children.
Conclusion
Dark Winds is more than just a crime drama, it’s a layered story about justice, culture, and identity.
With breathtaking desert landscapes, emotional depth, and authentic representation of Native American life, the series offers something truly different from mainstream thrillers.
Each season builds on the last, deepening the mystery while exploring the humanity of its characters.
Zahn McClarnon leads an outstanding cast that brings raw honesty to every episode.
For viewers who love slow-burn mysteries with meaning and heart, Dark Winds is a must-watch that keeps getting better with every season.