Dark Winds
Dark Winds
Now Showing

Dark Winds

"Justice has no boundaries."

7.5
Yr 2022
Status Returning Series
Drama Crime Mystery
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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 85 /100

Dark Winds has been widely praised for its authentic storytelling and its ability to breathe new life into the neo-western genre. Critics consistently point to the series' strong performances—particularly that of Zahn McClarnon—as a cornerstone of its success, with many noting how the show skillfully elevates traditional police procedural tropes through its specific Navajo Nation setting and cultural depth.

While some reviewers found the pacing of the initial episodes to be somewhat deliberate or noted minor technical shortcomings, the general consensus is that the show is a gritty, atmospheric, and highly engaging mystery. It is frequently lauded for centering Indigenous characters and voices, resulting in a compelling drama that feels both distinct and elevated above standard crime fare.

“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.”

“A classic neo-western mystery series managed to breathe new life into the genre by telling a lush period story set in the Navajo Nation with an ingenious fantasy twist.”

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

Signal Feed

In the news

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Netflix Standard with Ads
US • UK
Netflix
US • UK
AMC Plus Apple TV Channel
US • CA
Show 12 more
Crave Amazon Channel
CA
AMC+ Amazon Channel
US • CA
Hoopla
CA • US
AMC+ Roku Premium Channel
US
AMC+
US • CA
Spectrum On Demand
US
Crave
CA
CTV
CA
YouTube TV
US
Philo
US
Sky Go
UK
Now TV
UK
Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 5
Longest run 36 eps
Zahn McClarnon
Zahn McClarnon
as Lt. Joe Leaphorn
36 episodes
Kiowa Gordon
Kiowa Gordon
as Jim Chee
36 episodes
Jessica Matten
Jessica Matten
as Bernadette Manuelito
36 episodes
Deanna Allison
Deanna Allison
as Emma Leaphorn
36 episodes
Elva Guerra
Elva Guerra
as Sally Growing Thunder
12 episodes
Nicholas Logan
Nicholas Logan
as Colton Wolf
6 episodes
Jeremiah Bitsui
Jeremiah Bitsui
as Benjamin Tso
6 episodes
Eugene Brave Rock
Eugene Brave Rock
as Frank Nakai
6 episodes
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

Extras Casting
Charlie Estepp
Original Music Composer
Sean Kiner
Director
Zahn McClarnon Craig Zisk Sanford Bookstaver Chris Eyre Michael Nankin Steven Judd
Executive Producer
Zahn McClarnon Vince Gerardis Robert Redford Anne Hillerman Chris Eyre Thomas Brady Graham Roland George R.R. Martin
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Adam Jenkins
Editor
Brian Wessel J. Kathleen Gibson Joaquin Elizondo
Additional Music
Phil Peloubet
Director of Photography
Paul Elliott
In Memory Of
Robert Redford Taylor Roberts
Music Coordinator
Mike Caroleo
Production Design
Mark Garner
Music Editor
Chris Tergesen
Producer
Wayne Morris Steven Judd
Creator
Graham Roland
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
200