Series synopsis
Dark Winds is an American drama crime mystery television series that premiered on AMC on June 12, 2022. It was created by Graham Roland. It stars Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten and Deanna Allison.
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.
Premise
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.
Premise: Justice has no boundaries.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Zahn McClarnon as Lt. Joe Leaphorn
- Kiowa Gordon as Jim Chee
- Jessica Matten as Bernadette Manuelito
- Deanna Allison as Emma Leaphorn
- Elva Guerra as Sally Growing Thunder
- Nicholas Logan as Colton Wolf
- Jeremiah Bitsui as Benjamin Tso
- Eugene Brave Rock as Frank Nakai
Supporting cast
- Noah Emmerich as Leland Whitover
- Isabel DeRoy-Olson as Billie Tsosie
- Franka Potente as Irene Vaggan
- Jenna Elfman as Special Agent Sylvia Washington
- Ryan Jason Cook as White Doctor
- Ryan de Quintal as Richard
- Sheypan Draus as Night Manager
- John Paul Comanche as Navajo Medicine Man
- Harrison Lowe as Hosteen Tso
- Shawnee Pourier as Anna Atcitty
- Hataaliinez El Wheeler as Joe Jr.
- David Midthunder as Dillon Charley
Guest cast
- Ryan Jason Cook as White Doctor
- Ryan de Quintal as Richard
- Sheypan Draus as Night Manager
- John Paul Comanche as Navajo Medicine Man
- Harrison Lowe as Hosteen Tso
- Shawnee Pourier as Anna Atcitty
- Hataaliinez El Wheeler as Joe Jr.
- David Midthunder as Dillon Charley
- Darrin Giossi as Brandon
- Joe Manuel Gallegos Jr. as Pathologist Jerry
- Seth Abeita as Gate Guard
- Makena Ann Hullinger as Nanobah
Episodes
This series spans 5 seasons with 36 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 6 | June 12, 2022 | July 17, 2022 |
| Season 2 | 6 | July 30, 2023 | September 3, 2023 |
| Season 3 | 8 | March 9, 2025 | April 27, 2025 |
| Season 4 | 8 | February 15, 2026 | April 5, 2026 |
| Season 5 | 8 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Monster Slayer Navajo Tribal Policeman Joe Leaphorn must solve a series of crimes. He partners with new deputy, Jim Chee, who is back on the reservation for the first time since he was a child. Together they face down evil forces both earthly and supernatural. |
June 12, 2022 |
| 2 |
The Male Rain Approaches Leaphorn and Chee interview the surviving witness to the Big Rock Motel murders. Chee meets with the coroner-- the cause of death remains a mystery. Meanwhile, Sgt. Manuelito makes a chilling discovery of her own. |
June 19, 2022 |
| 3 |
K'e Leaphorn's niece celebrates her Kinaaldá as Leaphorn retrieves the bodies of the murder victims. Meanwhile, Manuelito and Chee investigate the whereabouts of the missing Mormon family. |
June 26, 2022 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Na'niłkaadii Navajo Tribal Policeman Joe Leaphorn investigates the death of a man involved in a mysterious cult. While Jim Chee, moonlighting as a PI, works a case of his own. When their investigations collide Leaphorn and Chee find themselves in grave danger. |
July 30, 2023 |
| 2 |
Wonders of the Unknown Leaphorn explores personal ties to an increasingly mysterious case, while Chee is questioned by a reluctant Sgt. Manuelito. The discovery of a body sends Leaphorn and Manuelito in pursuit of a child in danger. |
August 6, 2023 |
| 3 |
Antigonish After facing off with a dangerous man, Chee strikes out on his own. Meanwhile, Leaphorn and Manuelito partner with the sheriff's department, leading Leaphorn to identify a vital clue. |
August 13, 2023 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Ye'iitsoh (Big Monster) Lt. Joe Leaphorn and Sgt. Jim Chee investigate the disappearance of a Navajo boy. Manuelito makes a sinister discovery while adjusting to life on the border patrol. An FBI agent comes to solve a case linked to Leaphorn's recent past. |
March 9, 2025 |
| 2 |
Náá'tsoh (Big Eyes) Leaphorn and Chee find themselves on a manhunt after making a shocking discovery. Special Agent Washington questions Leaphorn about a person of interest. Manuelito puts her job on the line when she searches for answers at a local ranch. |
March 16, 2025 |
| 3 |
Ch'į́į́dii (Ghosts) After a close call, Leaphorn and Chee follow the trail of a new suspect. The discovery of a body sends Special Agent Washington in a different direction. Manuelito puts a target on her back as she digs deeper into the mystery. |
March 23, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Kǫ' Tsiitáá Álnééh (Baptism by Fire) Leaphorn, Chee and Bernadette search for a runaway girl. |
February 15, 2026 |
| 2 |
Bikéé' Doo Éédahoozįįdę́ę́góó (Toward Their Unknown Paths) Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito uncover new clues to the missing girl's whereabouts in the wake of a deadly shooting. |
February 22, 2026 |
| 3 |
Ahááldláádígíí (That Which Has Been Torn Apart) Leaphorn tracks the killer and discovers that he's the object of her dangerous obsession. Chee contemplates his future with Manuelito and the NTP while they investigate new leads. Billie faces an uncertain future. |
March 1, 2026 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | T's in Man (Skeleton Man) | |
| 2 | Nina'aha'a'ha'a'gi (The Place to Which They Return) | |
| 3 | To Nili Alts'aa Deezli (A River Splits in Two) |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | AMC |
|---|---|
| First aired | June 12, 2022 |
| Last aired | April 5, 2026 |
| Status | continue |
| Schedule | Sunday |