AMC’s Dark Winds is officially back for its fourth season, premiering February 15, 2026, on AMC and AMC+. The series — which has earned a rare 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating — continues to solidify its place as one of television’s most authentic and haunting crime dramas.
Created by Graham Roland and based on Tony Hillerman’s Leaphorn & Chee novels, the show’s blend of noir mystery, Navajo cultural depth, and 1970s atmosphere has captured audiences worldwide. Now, under the continued creative guidance of executive producers George R.R. Martin, Robert Redford, Zahn McClarnon, and Kiowa Gordon, Dark Winds is set to return with higher stakes, fresh faces, and a new mystery that pushes its characters — and the genre — to the edge.
Introduction to the Program
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Dark Winds |
| Season | 4 |
| Premiere Date | February 15, 2026 |
| Platform | AMC & AMC+ |
| Episode Count | 8 hour-long episodes |
| Genre | Neo-Western / Psychological Crime Thriller |
| Setting | Navajo Nation & 1970s Los Angeles |
| Source Material | Leaphorn & Chee novel series by Tony Hillerman |
| Key Executive Producers | George R.R. Martin, Robert Redford, Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Graham Roland |
| Director Debut | Zahn McClarnon (Lt. Joe Leaphorn) |
| Created By | Graham Roland |
The fourth season continues AMC’s renewed focus on prestige storytelling rooted in underrepresented cultural voices — Dark Winds stands as a beacon for Native American representation in mainstream television.
Key Features and Storyline Overview
A New Mystery — and a Dangerous Journey West
Season 4’s logline reveals a harrowing journey that takes Lt. Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee, and Bernadette Manuelito from the serenity of the Navajo Nation to the chaos of 1970s Los Angeles, following the trail of a missing Navajo girl.
“It’s hard having to hold it all,” says Leaphorn in the teaser trailer — a line that captures the emotional weight of this new case.
As the team delves deeper into the disappearance, they uncover connections to organized crime, corruption, and trauma that mirrors the very struggles they face in their homeland. The season balances high-stakes procedural storytelling with intimate portrayals of faith, identity, and justice.
Film critic Melissa Greene described Season 4’s tone as:
“A cinematic blend of No Country for Old Men and True Detective, elevated by its spiritual heart and cultural authenticity.”
Returning Cast and New Faces
Season 4 welcomes back its core ensemble, while introducing new characters who add intrigue and danger to the story.
Main Cast Returning
| Actor | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Zahn McClarnon | Lt. Joe Leaphorn | A seasoned Navajo Tribal Police officer haunted by personal loss and moral complexity. |
| Kiowa Gordon | Jim Chee | A young officer navigating faith, tradition, and modern law enforcement. |
| Jessica Matten | Bernadette Manuelito | A courageous investigator and emotional anchor for the team. |
| Deanna Allison | Emma Leaphorn | Joe’s wife, balancing family and spiritual grounding. |
| A. Martinez | Gordo Sena | Scarborough Police Acting Chief, bridging Navajo and state jurisdictions. |
New Season 4 Additions
| Actor | Character | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Franka Potente | Irene Vaggan | A mysterious figure tied to the missing girl’s case. |
| Isabel DeRoy-Olson | Billie Tsosie | A key witness with a dangerous secret. |
| Chaske Spencer | Sonny | A former Marine entangled with organized crime. |
| Luke Barnett | FBI Agent Toby Shaw | A federal agent with conflicting motives. |
| Titus Welliver | Dominic McNair | A powerful mob figure and the season’s primary antagonist. |
Television critic Robert Stinson observed:
“With each season, Dark Winds expands its scope without losing its intimacy. Titus Welliver’s addition as McNair could make this the show’s tensest season yet.”
Benefits of the Program
1. Authentic Indigenous Storytelling
Dark Winds stands out for its authentic portrayal of Navajo culture, language, and spirituality — with many Indigenous cast and crew members ensuring accuracy and respect.
2. Cinematic Visuals
Filmed across New Mexico and Arizona, Season 4 extends its reach to Los Angeles, bringing a striking contrast between desert stillness and urban chaos.
3. Stellar Performances
McClarnon, who also directs an episode this season, continues to deliver one of television’s most nuanced portrayals of a conflicted lawman.
4. Cultural and Philosophical Depth
Beyond crime-solving, the show examines moral dilemmas about justice, heritage, and survival — hallmarks of great Western storytelling.
Season 4 Story Structure (Episodes Overview)
| Episode | Focus | Core Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Missing Girl | Leaphorn takes on a haunting new case. |
| 2 | Ghosts of Los Angeles | The team enters unfamiliar city territory. |
| 3 | The Bridge Between Worlds | Spiritual visions and cultural conflicts rise. |
| 4 | The Hunt | A shocking link between organized crime and Navajo land emerges. |
| 5 | A City of Shadows | Loyalties blur amid violence in L.A. |
| 6 | The Truth Buried Deep | Chee’s faith and duty are tested. |
| 7 | When the Desert Calls | The investigation leads back to the reservation. |
| 8 | Now We Rule | The climactic showdown and Leaphorn’s reckoning. |
While AMC hasn’t released full titles, these descriptions are based on the thematic direction confirmed by the showrunner and teaser dialogue.
Comparison: Dark Winds’ Evolution Over the Seasons
| Season | Setting | Rotten Tomatoes Score | Core Mystery | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 (2022) | Navajo Nation | 100% | Double homicide and cultural betrayal | Slow-burn procedural |
| Season 2 (2023) | Expanding jurisdiction | 96% | Spiritual visions and corruption | Psychological thriller |
| Season 3 (2025) | Political intrigue | 98% | Federal interference and tribal politics | Political noir |
| Season 4 (2026) | Navajo Nation & L.A. | TBD | Missing girl linked to organized crime | Neo-Western thriller |
Cultural historian Dr. Leah Yazzie, who consults on Indigenous representation in media, notes:
“What Dark Winds achieves is revolutionary — it lets Native characters lead narratives about justice and morality on their own terms, without exoticism or pity.”
Recent Updates (October 2025)
- Confirmed Release Date: February 15, 2026
- Network: AMC & AMC+
- Episode Count: 8 (released weekly)
- Director Debut: Zahn McClarnon helms a key episode.
- Production Timeline: Filmed Spring–Summer 2025 in New Mexico and Los Angeles.
- Story Focus: Search for a missing Navajo girl entangled with mob influence.
- Streaming Partnership: Season 3’s success on Netflix expanded the show’s global reach.
Why It Matters?
Dark Winds has transcended the “Western” genre — it’s a spiritual crime odyssey, a story about cultural preservation amid violence and modernization. Its creative leadership, including George R.R. Martin, has helped bridge literary prestige with television accessibility.
Media analyst Jonathan Kelly explains:
“It’s rare to see a show that honors its cultural roots while delivering edge-of-your-seat suspense. Dark Winds proves that slow-burn storytelling still wins in the streaming era.”
Moreover, Zahn McClarnon’s directorial debut signifies a turning point — a shift from actor-driven storytelling to creative authorship, ensuring Native perspectives remain centered both in front of and behind the camera.
FAQs
Season 4 premieres on February 15, 2026, on AMC and AMC+, with new episodes releasing weekly.
The season will feature eight one-hour episodes, continuing the serialised mystery format.
Earlier seasons are available on AMC+ and Netflix through AMC’s syndication deal.
Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito investigate the disappearance of a Navajo girl, leading them to 1970s Los Angeles and into conflict with organized crime.
Franka Potente, Isabel DeRoy-Olson, Chaske Spencer, Luke Barnett, and Titus Welliver join the cast in key roles.
While not writing episodes directly, Martin remains a creative and executive producer, shaping the show’s overarching tone and world-building.
