Dark Winds
Updated: 12/10/2025, 10:32:35 AM Wikipedia source
Dark Winds is an American psychological thriller television series created by Graham Roland. Based on the Leaphorn & Chee novel series by Tony Hillerman, it stars Zahn McClarnon and Kiowa Gordon as the aforementioned two characters, leading a mostly Native American cast. Executive producers include Roland, McClarnon, George R. R. Martin and Robert Redford. The series were Redford's third time adapting Hillerman's novels, after the films The Dark Wind (1991) and Skinwalkers (2002); it would also be his final work both behind-the-scenes and as an actor, as a cameo in a 2025 episode would be his last on-screen role. It premiered on AMC and AMC+ on June 12, 2022, with the first season consisting of six episodes. After its premiere, the series was renewed for a six-episode second season, which premiered on July 30, 2023. In September 2023, the series was renewed for a third season that premiered on March 9, 2025. In February 2025, ahead of the third-season premiere, the series was renewed for a fourth season that is set to premiere on February 15, 2026. The series received very positive reviews, with particular praise for McClarnon's performance.
Infobox
Genre
mw- Psychological thriller Western noir thriller Crime drama
Created by
Graham Roland
Based on
Leaphorn & Chee seriesby Tony Hillerman
Showrunners
Vince Calandra (season 1) John Wirth
Starring
Zahn McClarnon Kiowa Gordon Jessica Matten Deanna Allison Rainn Wilson Elva Guerra Jeremiah Bitsui Eugene Brave Rock Noah Emmerich Nicholas Logan
Country of origin
United States
Original languages
English Navajo
No. of seasons
3
No. of episodes
20
Executive producers
Graham Roland Zahn McClarnon George R. R. Martin Robert Redford Anne Hillerman Tina Elmo Vince Gerardis Vince Calandra Chris Eyre John Wirth Jim Chory
Production location
New Mexico
Running time
39–53 minutes
Production companies
Rolling Cactus Inc. Eleventh Northwest Startling Television Tina Elmo Productions Fevre River Packet Co. Wildwood Enterprises AMC Studios
Network
AMC
Release
June 12, 2022 (2022-06-12) –present
Tables
First released
First released
Season
First released
Episodes
Last released
1
1
Season
1
Episodes
6
Episodes
June 12, 2022 (2022-06-12)
Originally released
July 17, 2022 (2022-07-17)
2
2
Season
2
Episodes
6
Episodes
July 30, 2023 (2023-07-30)
Originally released
September 3, 2023 (2023-09-03)
3
3
Season
3
Episodes
8
Episodes
March 9, 2025 (2025-03-09)
Originally released
April 27, 2025 (2025-04-27)
| Season | Episodes | Originally released | ||
| First released | Last released | |||
| 1 | 6 | June 12, 2022 (2022-06-12) | July 17, 2022 (2022-07-17) | |
| 2 | 6 | July 30, 2023 (2023-07-30) | September 3, 2023 (2023-09-03) | |
| 3 | 8 | March 9, 2025 (2025-03-09) | April 27, 2025 (2025-04-27) | |
· Episodes › Season 1 (2022)
1
1
No.overall
1
No. inseason
1
Title
"Monster Slayer"
Directed by
Chris Eyre
Teleplay by
Graham Roland
Original release date
June 12, 2022 (2022-06-12)
U.S. viewers(millions)
1.38
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.
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.
No.overall
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.
2
2
No.overall
2
No. inseason
2
Title
"The Male Rain Approaches"
Directed by
Chris Eyre
Teleplay by
Anthony Florez
Original release date
June 19, 2022 (2022-06-19)
U.S. viewers(millions)
0.984
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.
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.
No.overall
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.
3
3
No.overall
3
No. inseason
3
Title
"K'e"
Directed by
Sanford Bookstaver
Teleplay by
Maya Rose Dittloff & Razelle Benally
Original release date
June 26, 2022 (2022-06-26)
U.S. viewers(millions)
1.02
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.
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.
No.overall
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.
4
4
No.overall
4
No. inseason
4
Title
"Hooghandi"
Directed by
Sanford Bookstaver
Teleplay by
Billy Luther
Original release date
July 3, 2022 (2022-07-03)
U.S. viewers(millions)
0.823
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.
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.
No.overall
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.
5
5
No.overall
5
No. inseason
5
Title
"Ha'íínlni"
Directed by
Chris Eyre
Teleplay by
Erica Tremblay
Original release date
July 10, 2022 (2022-07-10)
U.S. viewers(millions)
1.07
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.
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.
No.overall
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.
6
6
No.overall
6
No. inseason
6
Title
"HózhóoNaasháa"
Directed by
Chris Eyre
Teleplay by
Maya Rose Dittloff
Original release date
July 17, 2022 (2022-07-17)
U.S. viewers(millions)
1.26
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.
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.
No.overall
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.
| No.overall | No. inseason | Title | Directed by | Teleplay by | Original release date | viewers(millions) | |
| 1 | 1 | "Monster Slayer" | Chris Eyre | Graham Roland | June 12, 2022 (2022-06-12) | 1.38 | |
| 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. | |||||||
| 2 | 2 | "The Male Rain Approaches" | Chris Eyre | Anthony Florez | June 19, 2022 (2022-06-19) | 0.984 | |
| 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. | |||||||
| 3 | 3 | "K'e" | Sanford Bookstaver | Maya Rose Dittloff & Razelle Benally | June 26, 2022 (2022-06-26) | 1.02 | |
| 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. | |||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Hooghandi" | Sanford Bookstaver | Billy Luther | July 3, 2022 (2022-07-03) | 0.823 | |
| 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. | |||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Ha'íínlni" | Chris Eyre | Erica Tremblay | July 10, 2022 (2022-07-10) | 1.07 | |
| 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. | |||||||
| 6 | 6 | "HózhóoNaasháa" | Chris Eyre | Maya Rose Dittloff | July 17, 2022 (2022-07-17) | 1.26 | |
| 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. | |||||||
· Episodes › Season 2 (2023)
7
7
No.overall
7
No. inseason
1
Title
"Na'niłkaadii (Sheep Dog)"
Directed by
Chris Eyre
Written by
John Wirth & Rhiana Yazzie
Original release date
July 30, 2023 (2023-07-30)
U.S. viewers(millions)
N/A
8
8
No.overall
8
No. inseason
2
Title
"Wonders of the Unknown"
Directed by
Chris Eyre
Written by
Max Hurwitz & DezBaa'
Original release date
August 6, 2023 (2023-08-06)
U.S. viewers(millions)
0.788
9
9
No.overall
9
No. inseason
3
Title
"Antigonish"
Directed by
Michael Nankin
Written by
Steven Paul Judd
Original release date
August 13, 2023 (2023-08-13)
U.S. viewers(millions)
0.975
10
10
No.overall
10
No. inseason
4
Title
"The March"
Directed by
Michael Nankin
Written by
Jason Gavin
Original release date
August 20, 2023 (2023-08-20)
U.S. viewers(millions)
1.016
11
11
No.overall
11
No. inseason
5
Title
"Black Hole Sun"
Directed by
Billy Luther
Written by
Billy Luther & Max Hurwitz
Original release date
August 27, 2023 (2023-08-27)
U.S. viewers(millions)
N/A
12
12
No.overall
12
No. inseason
6
Title
"Hózhó náhásdlįį (Beauty Is Restored)"
Directed by
Chris Eyre
Written by
Graham Roland & John Wirth
Original release date
September 3, 2023 (2023-09-03)
U.S. viewers(millions)
N/A
| No.overall | No. inseason | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | viewers(millions) |
| 7 | 1 | "Na'niłkaadii (Sheep Dog)" | Chris Eyre | John Wirth & Rhiana Yazzie | July 30, 2023 (2023-07-30) | N/A |
| 8 | 2 | "Wonders of the Unknown" | Chris Eyre | Max Hurwitz & DezBaa' | August 6, 2023 (2023-08-06) | 0.788 |
| 9 | 3 | "Antigonish" | Michael Nankin | Steven Paul Judd | August 13, 2023 (2023-08-13) | 0.975 |
| 10 | 4 | "The March" | Michael Nankin | Jason Gavin | August 20, 2023 (2023-08-20) | 1.016 |
| 11 | 5 | "Black Hole Sun" | Billy Luther | Billy Luther & Max Hurwitz | August 27, 2023 (2023-08-27) | N/A |
| 12 | 6 | "Hózhó náhásdlįį (Beauty Is Restored)" | Chris Eyre | Graham Roland & John Wirth | September 3, 2023 (2023-09-03) | N/A |
· Episodes › Season 3 (2025)
13
13
No.overall
13
No. inseason
1
Title
"Ye'iitsoh (Big Monster)"
Directed by
Chris Eyre
Written by
John Wirth & Steven Paul Judd
Original release date
March 9, 2025 (2025-03-09)
U.S. viewers(millions)
0.712
14
14
No.overall
14
No. inseason
2
Title
"Náá'tsoh (Big Eyes)"
Directed by
Michael Nankin
Written by
Rhiana Yazzie
Original release date
March 16, 2025 (2025-03-16)
U.S. viewers(millions)
0.833
15
15
No.overall
15
No. inseason
3
Title
"Ch'į́į́dii (Ghosts)"
Directed by
Michael Nankin
Written by
Max Hurwitz & Billy Luther
Original release date
March 23, 2025 (2025-03-23)
U.S. viewers(millions)
0.646
16
16
No.overall
16
No. inseason
4
Title
"Chahałheeł (Darkness Falls)"
Directed by
Chris Eyre
Written by
Thomas Brady & Erica Tremblay
Original release date
March 30, 2025 (2025-03-30)
U.S. viewers(millions)
0.617
17
17
No.overall
17
No. inseason
5
Title
"Tsékǫ̨' Hasą́ní (Coal Mine Canyon)"
Directed by
Billy Luther
Written by
John Wirth & Steven Paul Judd
Original release date
April 6, 2025 (2025-04-06)
U.S. viewers(millions)
0.812
18
18
No.overall
18
No. inseason
6
Title
"Ábidoo'niidę́ę́ (What We Had Been Told)"
Directed by
Erica Tremblay
Written by
Max Hurwitz & Billy Luther
Original release date
April 13, 2025 (2025-04-13)
U.S. viewers(millions)
0.691
19
19
No.overall
19
No. inseason
7
Title
"T'áá Áłts'íísígo (Just a Small Piece)"
Directed by
Steven Paul Judd
Written by
Thomas Brady & Erica Tremblay
Original release date
April 20, 2025 (2025-04-20)
U.S. viewers(millions)
0.732
20
20
No.overall
20
No. inseason
8
Title
"Béésh Łį́į́ (Iron Horse)"
Directed by
Chris Eyre
Written by
John Wirth & Steven Paul Judd
Original release date
April 27, 2025 (2025-04-27)
U.S. viewers(millions)
0.736
| No.overall | No. inseason | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | viewers(millions) |
| 13 | 1 | "Ye'iitsoh (Big Monster)" | Chris Eyre | John Wirth & Steven Paul Judd | March 9, 2025 (2025-03-09) | 0.712 |
| 14 | 2 | "Náá'tsoh (Big Eyes)" | Michael Nankin | Rhiana Yazzie | March 16, 2025 (2025-03-16) | 0.833 |
| 15 | 3 | "Ch'į́į́dii (Ghosts)" | Michael Nankin | Max Hurwitz & Billy Luther | March 23, 2025 (2025-03-23) | 0.646 |
| 16 | 4 | "Chahałheeł (Darkness Falls)" | Chris Eyre | Thomas Brady & Erica Tremblay | March 30, 2025 (2025-03-30) | 0.617 |
| 17 | 5 | "Tsékǫ̨' Hasą́ní (Coal Mine Canyon)" | Billy Luther | John Wirth & Steven Paul Judd | April 6, 2025 (2025-04-06) | 0.812 |
| 18 | 6 | "Ábidoo'niidę́ę́ (What We Had Been Told)" | Erica Tremblay | Max Hurwitz & Billy Luther | April 13, 2025 (2025-04-13) | 0.691 |
| 19 | 7 | "T'áá Áłts'íísígo (Just a Small Piece)" | Steven Paul Judd | Thomas Brady & Erica Tremblay | April 20, 2025 (2025-04-20) | 0.732 |
| 20 | 8 | "Béésh Łį́į́ (Iron Horse)" | Chris Eyre | John Wirth & Steven Paul Judd | April 27, 2025 (2025-04-27) | 0.736 |
References
- Allison is a Navajo member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes
- Guerra is a member of the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/oct/18/dark-winds-review-this-brooding-navajo-mystery-begs-to-be-binged
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/video/amc-amc-drop-trailer-and-set/
- TVLinehttps://tvline.com/trailers/dark-winds-season-2-trailer-zahn-mcclarnon-1235000994/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2023/tv/news/dark-winds-renewed-season-3-amc-1235727771/
- Colliderhttps://collider.com/dark-winds-season-3-release-date/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttp://hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/dark-winds-renewed-season-4-amc-1236145510/
- Dark Windshttps://deadline.com/2025/10/dark-winds-season-4-release-date-amc-trailer-1236595421/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/robert-redford-george-r-r-martin-team-for-dark-winds-zahn-mcclarnon-1234979828/
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/2021/08/dark-winds-noah-emmerich-joins-amc-series-from-graham-roland-george-r-r-martin-robert-redford-1234818208/
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/2021/07/dark-winds-amc-series-graham-roland-george-rr-martin-zahn-mcclarnon-kiowa-gordon-leaphorn-and-chee-tony-hillerman-1234789055/
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/2021/08/dark-winds-jessica-matten-amc-series-graham-roland-george-r-r-martin-robert-redford-1234819830/
- Farmington Daily Timeshttps://www.daily-times.com/story/news/local/farmington/2022/07/10/amcs-dark-winds-cast-includes-farmington-high-school-graduate-deanna-allison/65369975007/
- Dark Windshttps://deadline.com/2022/02/dark-winds-deanna-allison-dark-winds-amc-graham-role-george-rr-martin-robert-redford-1234958251/
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/2021/09/dark-winds-rainn-wilson-joins-amc-series-from-graham-roland-george-r-r-martin-robert-redford-1234826278/
- Native News Onlinehttps://nativenewsonline.net/arts-entertainment/q-a-two-spirit-actor-and-reservation-dogs-star-elva-guerra
- The Daily Beasthttps://www.thedailybeast.com/robert-redford-steps-out-of-retirement-for-surprise-dark-winds-cameo/
- Peoplehttps://people.com/robert-redford-final-screen-appearance-tv-show-six-months-before-death-11810943
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2022/06/dark-winds-renewed-for-season-2-amc-1235049374/
- Showbuzz Dailyhttps://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-sunday-6-12-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html
- Showbuzz Dailyhttps://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-sunday-6-19-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html
- Showbuzz Dailyhttps://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-sunday-6-26-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html
- Showbuzz Dailyhttps://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-sunday-7-3-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html
- Showbuzz Dailyhttps://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-sunday-7-10-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html
- Showbuzz Dailyhttps://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-sunday-7-17-2022-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html
- Boston Heraldhttps://www.bostonherald.com/2023/07/30/big-changes-ahead-for-kiowa-gordon-in-dark-winds-second-season/
- Programming Insiderhttps://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-cbs-wins-among-younger-adults-with-big-brother-sunday-return/
- Programming Insiderhttps://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-cbs-wins-benefits-from-pga-golf-overrun-into-prime-time/
- Programming Insiderhttps://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-cbs-wins-in-demos-close-battle-with-abc-for-tops-in-total-viewers/
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/dark-winds-season-3-1235281417/
- Programming Insiderhttps://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-cbs-and-espn-share-primetime-leadership/
- Programming Insiderhttps://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-abc-tops-in-key-female-demos-cbs-leads-in-total-viewers/
- Programming Insiderhttps://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-cbs-tops-prime-time-tnt-sports-leads-cable-with-ncaa-tournament-action/
- Programming Insiderhttps://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-ncaa-march-madness-in-late-afternoon-buoys-cbs-to-prime-time-victory/
- Programming Insiderhttps://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-the-white-lotus-on-hbo-reaches-record-viewership-with-third-season-finale/
- Programming Insiderhttps://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-masters-golf-final-round-on-cbs-achieves-7-year-high-with-rory-mcilroy-victory/
- Programming Insiderhttps://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-cbs-and-tnt-split-victory-on-easter-night/
- Programming Insiderhttps://programminginsider.com/sunday-ratings-lakers-timberwolves-on-abc-ranks-as-second-most-watched-nba-first-round-game-4-in-two-decades/
- The Santa Fe New Mexicanhttps://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/hillerman-based-tv-series-dark-winds-in-production-in-santa-fe/article_a8878ae2-0a92-11ec-8bd2-fbe703c8385d.html
- Colliderhttps://collider.com/dark-winds-trailer-release-date-cast-and-everything-we-know-so-far-about-the-amc-thriller-series/
- TV Insiderhttps://www.tvinsider.com/1188464/dark-winds-joe-emma-tape-breakup-season-4-book-case/
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/2022/08/dark-winds-john-wirth-replaces-vince-calandra-showrunner-season-2-1235089200/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2022/tv/news/dark-winds-zahn-mcclarnon-billy-luther-native-representation-native-american-heritage-month-1235428119/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/dark-winds-tv-series-amc-deal-1234983876/
- Writers Guild of America Westhttps://directories.wga.org/project/1220216/dark-winds/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2023/01/dark-winds-nicholas-logan-jeri-ryan-season-2-cast-amc-series-1235220384/
- Dark Windshttps://deadline.com/2024/04/dark-winds-jenna-elfman-bruce-greenwood-season-3-guest-cast-1235881090/
- Dark Windshttps://deadline.com/2025/03/franka-potente-amc-dark-winds-season-4-1236323900/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2025/03/chaske-spencer-amc-dark-winds-season-4-1236351808/
- Dark Windshttps://deadline.com/2025/05/dark-winds-cast-isabel-deroy-olson-luke-barnett-season-4-1236410061/
- Dark Windshttps://www.tvline.com/casting-news/titus-welliver-cast-dark-winds-season-4-amc-1235466727/
- "The New Mexico Film Office Announces A New Television Show, Dark Winds, is Currently in Production in New Mexico"https://nmfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NMFO_PressRelease_DarkWinds.pdf
- Production Weeklyhttps://web.archive.org/web/20211010072602/https://www.productionweekly.com/082621gp.pdf
- Albuquerque Journalhttps://www.abqjournal.com/2425018/amcs-dark-winds-filming-in-northern-new-mexico.html
- Ghost Ranch, Abiquiú, New Mexico, per episode 4 ("Hooghandi") on-screen closing credits
- Navajo-Hopi Observerhttps://www.nhonews.com/news/2021/oct/19/dark-winds-tv-series-based-tony-hillerman-books-fi/
- "New Mexico Film Office Announces, "Dark Winds" Season 2 Begins Filming"https://nmfilm.com/assets/uploads/NMFO-Announcing-Dark-Winds-Season-2.pdf
- Albuquerque Journalhttps://www.abqjournal.com/news/local/dark-winds-second-season-to-premiere-july-30/article_5a4e7244-bb4d-55c0-b827-43a4555aacf3.html
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dark_winds/s01
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/tv/dark-winds/season-1
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dark_winds/s02
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/tv/dark-winds/season-2
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dark_winds/s03
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/tv/dark-winds/season-3
- Navajo Timeshttps://navajotimes.com/ae/culture/dark-winds-fails-authenticity-test/
- Navajo Timeshttps://navajotimes.com/ae/culture/dark-winds-hears-critics-director-says-tv-series-will-course-correct-for-accuracy/
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2023-08-06/dark-winds-season-2-navajo-culture-advisor-guest-column
- National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museumhttps://nationalcowboymuseum.org/collections/awards/wha/
- Not a Bloghttps://georgerrmartin.com/notablog/2023/07/27/the-wrangler-comes-to-town/
- NAMIChttps://namic.com/press-releases/namic-announces-recipients-of-annual-vision-awards-3/