The arid expanses of the Navajo Nation are set to captivate audiences once again as Dark Winds returns for its highly anticipated fourth season on AMC and AMC+ in spring 2025, with a subsequent release expected on Netflix. This psychological crime thriller, rooted in the rich cultural tapestry of the Navajo people, has been lauded as “more addictive than True Detective and darker than Broadchurch” by fans and critics alike. Set in the 1970s Southwest, Season 4 promises to deepen the saga of Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee, and Bernadette Manuelito as they unravel a chilling web of murder, betrayal, and long-buried secrets against the stark backdrop of the desert. With a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score for its first two seasons and a stellar cast led by Zahn McClarnon, Dark Winds Season 4 is poised to deliver its most intense and mystical chapter yet. Here’s everything we know about this haunting continuation of the Navajo noir masterpiece.
A Deeper Descent into Darkness
Dark Winds, based on Tony Hillerman’s acclaimed Leaphorn & Chee novel series, has carved a unique niche in the crime drama genre since its 2022 debut. The series follows Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon), his deputy-turned-private-investigator Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), and Sergeant Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten) as they navigate complex cases in the Four Corners region of the American Southwest. Set in the 1970s, the show blends gritty police procedural elements with Navajo spirituality, exploring themes of grief, identity, and justice against a backdrop of cultural tension and historical wounds. Its authentic portrayal of Navajo traditions, coupled with a predominantly Native American cast and crew, has earned widespread praise, with fans calling it a “game-changer” for Indigenous representation in television.
Season 4 picks up after the harrowing events of Season 3, which saw Leaphorn grappling with the moral fallout of leaving a villain to die in the desert and confronting visions of the Ye’iitsoh, a Navajo entity symbolizing negative energy. The new season, consisting of eight episodes, dives into a complex case involving a mysterious cult and a killer tied to a dark secret from Leaphorn’s past. According to the official synopsis, Leaphorn and Chee, now a private investigator, investigate a series of murders linked to a shadowy group operating on the reservation. Their pursuit leads them to uncover betrayals that threaten to fracture their community and force Leaphorn to confront the unresolved pain of his son’s death in a mining accident years earlier. Meanwhile, Bernadette, now entrenched in her role with the Border Patrol, navigates her own investigation into a smuggling ring, only to find her case converging with Leaphorn’s in unexpected ways.
The season’s narrative promises to amplify the show’s signature blend of suspense and mysticism. The cult’s rituals, steeped in distorted Navajo traditions, introduce a haunting supernatural undercurrent, with eerie symbols and visions challenging the officers’ grip on reality. Fans can expect pulse-pounding action—think shootouts in desolate canyons and tense standoffs under starlit skies—interwoven with poignant character moments. The desert itself remains a character, its vast, unforgiving landscape amplifying the sense of isolation and danger. As one fan on X described it, “Dark Winds Season 4 feels like it’s going to rip your heart out and bury it in the sand—way darker than Broadchurch and twice as gripping as True Detective.”
A Stellar Cast and New Faces
At the heart of Dark Winds is Zahn McClarnon’s mesmerizing performance as Joe Leaphorn, a veteran officer whose stoic exterior masks deep trauma. McClarnon, also an executive producer, brings a layered intensity to Leaphorn, balancing quiet strength with vulnerability as he wrestles with guilt over his past decisions and the loss of his son. Critics have hailed his work as “career-defining,” with his ability to convey heartbreak in a single glance earning comparisons to Matthew McConaughey’s Rust Cohle in True Detective. Kiowa Gordon’s Jim Chee, now forging his own path as a private investigator, evolves from a wide-eyed deputy to a complex figure haunted by his own past, while Jessica Matten’s Bernadette Manuelito shines as a fierce, principled officer navigating a male-dominated field.
Season 4 introduces new characters that deepen the narrative. Isabel DeRoy-Olson joins as a series regular, playing Billie Tsosie, a Navajo teenager who becomes entangled in the cult’s influence after sneaking away from her boarding school. Her rebellious spirit and resourcefulness add a fresh perspective, mirroring Leaphorn’s own struggles with family and duty. Luke Barnett recurs as FBI Special Agent Toby Shaw, a determined investigator searching for answers about a missing friend, whose alliance with Leaphorn and Chee is fraught with tension. Franka Potente, known for Run Lola Run, and Chaske Spencer, from The English, also join in recurring roles, adding intrigue as figures connected to the cult and the smuggling ring. Returning cast members include Deanna Allison as Emma Leaphorn, whose quiet resilience anchors the family dynamics, and guest stars like Jenna Elfman as FBI Agent Sylvia Washington, whose investigation into Leaphorn’s Season 2 actions looms large.
The ensemble is bolstered by the show’s commitment to Native talent, with a writers’ room and crew predominantly composed of Indigenous voices. This authenticity shines through in details like the use of Diné bizaad (the Navajo language) and the depiction of sacred rituals, which have been refined with input from Navajo cultural advisor George R. Joe to address earlier criticisms about accuracy.
A Masterful Creative Team
Created by Graham Roland, Dark Winds boasts a powerhouse team of executive producers, including McClarnon, George R.R. Martin, and the late Robert Redford, who made a poignant cameo in Season 3 alongside Martin as detainees playing chess. Season 4 sees McClarnon stepping behind the camera to direct an episode, a testament to his growing influence. The writing team, led by showrunner John Wirth, includes Native writers like Anthony Florez, Maya Rose Dittloff, and Razelle Benally, ensuring cultural nuance in every script. Directors like Chris Eyre, a prominent Indigenous filmmaker, bring a cinematic quality to the series, with sweeping shots of Monument Valley and Kayenta that make the desert a living, breathing presence.
The production, filmed across New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah, captures the rugged beauty of the Navajo Nation. Season 4’s increased budget—rumored to be $6 million per episode—allows for ambitious set pieces, including a climactic confrontation in a remote canyon and a chilling sequence involving a ritualistic burial site. The score, composed by Kevin Kiner, weaves traditional Navajo music with haunting, atmospheric tones, amplifying the show’s eerie mood. Cinematography by Wade Grebnoel emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow, turning the desert’s golden vistas into a canvas of menace and mystery.
Why Fans Are Obsessed
Dark Winds has garnered a devoted following for its blend of taut storytelling and cultural depth. Its first two seasons, which streamed on Netflix until August 19, 2025, skyrocketed to the platform’s Top 10, with Season 1 earning 2.3 million views in a single week. The series’ 100% Rotten Tomatoes score for Seasons 1 and 2 reflects its critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its “gripping mysteries” and “authentic portrayal of Navajo life.” Season 3, which premiered on AMC+ in March 2025, introduced a darker, more mystical tone, with Leaphorn’s visions of the Ye’iitsoh and a cult-driven plotline earning comparisons to True Detective’s cosmic horror. Fans on social media have echoed this, with one X user calling it “a slow-burn masterpiece that hits harder than Broadchurch’s grief and True Detective’s dread.”
The show’s exploration of Navajo spirituality sets it apart from other crime dramas. The Ye’iitsoh, a symbol of negative energy, serves as both a literal and metaphorical force, reflecting Leaphorn’s internal struggle and the community’s battle against external exploitation. Themes of betrayal—within families, institutions, and the land itself—resonate deeply, while the show avoids stereotypes, presenting its Native characters as complex, flawed, and heroic. The Season 4 plot, centered on a cult manipulating sacred traditions, promises to push these themes further, with Leaphorn seeking justice for his son’s death while uncovering a criminal mastermind.
Cultural Impact and Industry Recognition
Dark Winds has been a trailblazer for Indigenous representation, earning accolades like the 2023 Western Heritage Award for its Season 1 episode “Monster Slayer” and multiple NAMIC Vision Awards, including Best Drama and Best Performance for McClarnon. Its success has sparked renewed interest in Hillerman’s novels and drawn tourists to the Navajo Nation, boosting local economies. However, the show hasn’t been without criticism, with some Navajo viewers noting early inaccuracies in language and cultural details, which the production addressed in later seasons through increased collaboration with tribal advisors.
The series’ move to Netflix in 2024 introduced it to a global audience, though its departure from the platform in August 2025 has shifted focus to AMC+. With Season 4 already in production and set for a 2026 release, AMC’s commitment signals confidence in the show’s longevity. The increased episode count—eight instead of six—allows for a more expansive story, with fans speculating about a potential Season 5 based on Hillerman’s remaining novels.
Why Season 4 Is a Must-Watch
Dark Winds Season 4 is shaping up to be the series’ most ambitious outing, blending heart-pounding crime drama with profound cultural commentary. The cult-driven mystery, layered with betrayals and secrets, promises to test Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito like never before, while the desert setting amplifies the story’s haunting intensity. McClarnon’s soulful performance, backed by a stellar cast and visionary creative team, ensures that the show remains a standout in the crowded crime genre. As one fan put it on X, “If True Detective and Broadchurch had a love child raised in the Navajo Nation, it’d be Dark Winds—and Season 4 is about to blow us away.”
Set to premiere on AMC and AMC+ in spring 2025, with a Netflix release likely to follow, Dark Winds Season 4 is a must-watch for fans of gripping mysteries and rich storytelling. Whether you’re drawn to its cultural authenticity, its supernatural edge, or its unforgettable characters, this Navajo noir saga is poised to leave an indelible mark. Get ready to venture back into the desert—where secrets are buried, but never stay hidden for long.
