Dark Winds
Dark Winds
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Dark Winds

"Justice has no boundaries."

7.5
Yr 2022
Status Returning Series
Your Verdict
Unrated

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Series Brief

Overview

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.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 86 /100

Dark Winds has earned broad critical acclaim as a compelling, atmospheric neo-Western mystery that breathes fresh life into the crime drama genre. Reviewers consistently praise the series for grounding its 1970s detective narrative in authentic Indigenous perspectives, noting how the show's focus on Navajo Nation culture and Native storytelling elevates familiar noir and procedural elements into something distinct and gripping.

Critics also point to the ensemble cast as a standout strength, particularly Zahn McClarnon's magnetic and tightly calibrated lead performance alongside Kiowa Gordon and Jessica Matten. While a few reviewers noted minor structural pacing bumps and familiar detective tropes during early world-building, the consensus remains overwhelmingly positive, celebrating the series' rich character depth, evocative visuals, and knotty, satisfying mysteries.

“a gripping, pulpy drama with a tangible sense throughout that the people telling this story know what is distinct about it, elevating the more familiar thriller components into something that feels special”

“This series does a fantastic job of balancing an intriguing mystery with authentic storytelling focused on Indigenous characters.”

“It is a knotty, atmospheric mystery that still feels fleet enough to be tackled in one or two binges.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 5
Longest run 36 eps
Show 67 more
Noah Emmerich as Leland Whitover 6 episodes Isabel DeRoy-Olson as Billie Tsosie 8 episodes Franka Potente as Irene Vaggan 8 episodes Jenna Elfman as Special Agent Sylvia Washington 8 episodes Shawnee Pourier as Anna Atcitty 2 episodes Rob Tepper as Pete Samuels 4 episodes Quenton Yazzie as Raymond Begay 4 episodes Mosiah Silentwalker as Roderick 2 episodes Jonathan Adams as Lester McGinnis 5 episodes Stafford Douglas as Phil Springer 2 episodes Amelia Rico as Ada 5 episodes Betty Ann Tsosie as Margaret Cigaret 8 episodes Sarah Minnich as Betty Sue 2 episodes Ava Wagenman as Wilma 2 episodes Joaquin Devin Cavazos as Dan Jr. 2 episodes Ryffin Phoenix as Wanda McGinnis 3 episodes Jade Brennan as Makeup Artist 2 episodes John Diehl as B.J. Vines 6 episodes Ryan Begay as Guy Atcitty 8 episodes DezBaa' as Helen Atcitty 10 episodes Isiah Yazzie as Young Navajo Man 2 episodes Julian Bonfiglio as Wilson Smith 4 episodes Kate Bergeron as Karen Smith 4 episodes Julianne Frick as Lucy Smith 4 episodes Sophie Jane Frick as Carol Smith 4 episodes Anthony Parker as Native Mechanic 2 episodes A Martinez as Sheriff Lawrence 'Gordo' Sena 12 episodes Jacqueline Byers as Mary Landon 6 episodes Robert I. Mesa as Tomas Charley 2 episodes Jeri Ryan as Rosemary Vines 5 episodes Andersen Kee as Officer Harold Bigman 14 episodes Wade Adakai as Officer Gary Felix 14 episodes Ernest Tsosie III as Roger 7 episodes Gary Yazzie as Hastiin Biyaazhi 6 episodes Jarrett Hogner as Steve Begaye 2 episodes Ramona DuBarry as Gabriela 4 episodes Zakota Shade as Dean Bitsuie 3 episodes Jet James Grant as Benny Charley 3 episodes Joseph Runningfox as Henry Leaphorn 5 episodes Lily Joy Winder as Sháńdíín 2 episodes Sarah Luther as Joyce Leaphorn 4 episodes Sasha Wexler as Nurse #2 2 episodes Natalie Benally as Dispatch Operator 18 episodes Tank Jones as Deloyd Webster 2 episodes Bodhi Rader as Deputy Reno 3 episodes Tonantzin Carmelo as Eleanda Garza 6 episodes Alex Meraz as Ivan Muños 7 episodes Derek Hinkey as Sheldon 'Shorty' Bowlegs 5 episodes Terry Serpico as Ed Henry 4 episodes Carly Roland as Teddi Isaacs 4 episodes Flora Amanda as Irma 3 episodes Dirk Rogers as Yé’iitsoh 4 episodes Gail S. Matthius as Mrs. Swenson 3 episodes Amias Kenneth Chavez as Cecil Bowlegs 3 episodes Aspen Martinez as Carmelita 3 episodes Alonso Rappa as Ernesto Cata 3 episodes Elias Gallegos as Night Agent 3 episodes Christopher Heyerdahl as Dr. Reynolds 3 episodes Bruce Greenwood as Tom Spenser 3 episodes Richard Anthony Greywolf as Driver 2 episodes Bodhi Okuma Linton as George Bowlegs 5 episodes Daniel Serrano as Welder 5 episodes Raoul Max Trujillo as Roberto 'Budge' De Baca 6 episodes Phil Burke as Michael Halsey 2 episodes Casimere Jollette as Suzanne Thompson 2 episodes Kellyn Morris as Raymond 2 episodes Rainn Wilson as Dan 'Devoted Dan' DeMarco 3 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Signal Match

Similarity

Where Dark Winds overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

detective based on novel or book 1970s new mexico indigenous investigation navajo shaman witchcraft native american reservation fbi agent gritty sinister indigenous customs folk magic tribal police assertive
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
June 12, 2022
Status
Returning Series
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
207