Dark Winds series on AMC and AMC+ is a noir thriller Leaphorn & Chee book series by Tony Hillerman.
What is the Series About?
Dark Winds is set in 1971 on a remote outpost of the Navajo Nation near Monument Valley.
The series follows Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon, The Son, Westworld, Fargo) of the Tribal Police as he is besieged by a series of seemingly unrelated crimes.
The closer he digs to the truth, the more he exposes the wounds of his past. He is joined on this journey by his new deputy, Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon, The Red Road, Roswell, New Mexico).
Chee, too, has old scores to settle from his youth on the reservation.
Together, the two men battle the forces of evil, each other and their own personal demons on the path to salvation.
What is the Release Date of the Series?
Dark Winds premieres on AMC+ on June 12 2022 on AMC and AMC+ with two episodes.
What is the Cast of Dark Winds?
Zahn McClarnon plays Leap horn with Kiowa Gordon as Chee. Jessica Matten, Noah Emmerich, Deanna Allison also star. Graham Roland develops the series.
Dark Winds Season 1 Review
Dark Winds Season 1 proves that a crime drama doesn’t need constant action to stay engaging. Set on the Navajo Nation in the early 1970s, the series builds its mystery through patient storytelling, strong character work, and an atmosphere that feels both haunting and authentic. Instead of rushing from one twist to the next, it takes time to explore Joe Leaphorn’s personal struggles while gradually connecting a series of seemingly unrelated crimes.
Zahn McClarnon is the clear standout as Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn. His understated performance gives the series emotional weight, while Kiowa Gordon and Jessica Matten provide solid support as Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito. The cast makes the relationships feel believable, which helps the slower pacing work in the show’s favor.
Season 1 won’t appeal to viewers looking for a fast-paced procedural. It unfolds at its own pace and leans heavily on mood, culture, and character development. But that approach is also what makes it memorable. By the time the six-episode story reaches its conclusion, the mystery feels satisfying without relying on cheap surprises.
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