Native American Crime Series ‘Dark Winds’ Returns to AMC for Season 4: Final Trailer Dropped! New Images Added!
Native American Crime Series ‘Dark Winds’ Returns to AMC for Season 4: Final Trailer Dropped! New Images Added!
K.L. Connie WangThu, February 19, 2026 at 2:35 AM UTC
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If you've just finished Season 3 of Dark Winds, you're probably already excited for Season 4. The AMC series is based on the "Leaphorn & Chee" novels by bestselling author Tony Hillerman. Set in the 1970s, it follows Native Indian policemen Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) and Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) as they try to solve murders and other crimes, which may or may not be steeped in Native American lore. AMC picked up a fourth season of the show before Season 3 even premiered. The series has already headed into production on the new season, and we look forward to it when it arrives in 2026.
Here's everything we know about the upcoming Season 4 of Dark Winds.
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What is Dark Winds?
Set in the 1970s, the original season follows the FBI investigation of a bank robbery in Gallup, New Mexico, and the Navajo Tribal inquiry into the local murder of two Native residents. Lt. Joe Leaphorn (McClarnon), his new deputy Jim Chee (Gordon), and Sgt. Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten) do the heavy lifting around the reservation, which is near Monument Valley. The strange behaviors of some of the residents and the newcomers intertwine with their personal stories as the two men battle the forces of evil and their own personal demons on the path to salvation.
Is Dark Winds based on other material?
Dark Winds is based on the "Leaphorn & Chee" series of novels by bestselling author Tony Hillerman.
How many seasons of Dark Winds are there?
So far, there are four seasons of Dark Winds. Three seasons have already aired, with a fourth season set to premiere in Februray 2026.
How do I watch Dark Winds?
You can watch previous seasons of Dark Winds on AMC+, through the AMC Collection on Netflix, and on Acorn TV. You can also purchase single episodes or seasons on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and other similar platforms.
When does Season 4 of Dark Winds premiere?
Season 4 of Dark Winds will premiere on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.
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What is Dark Winds rated?
Dark Winds is rated TV-MA.
What happened in Season 2 of Dark Winds?
Lt. Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, now a private investigator, find themselves entangled in a complex case involving a mysterious cult, leading them to investigate a killer who is connected to a dark secret that deeply affects Leaphorn, forcing him to confront his past while navigating the challenges of Navajo justice alongside Sgt. Bernadette Manuelito. The season culminates with Leaphorn seeking revenge for his son's death and uncovering the criminal mastermind behind it all.
What happened in Season 3 of Dark Winds?
Season 3 of Dark Winds picked up about six months after the events in Season 2. Leaphorn and Chee investigated the disappearance of two boys, with only an abandoned bicycle and a blood-stained patch of ground left in their wake. Leaphorn was haunted by memories from his childhood. Meanwhile, Bernadette attempted to settle into her new life 500 miles from home with the Border Patrol, but stumbled across a conspiracy involving human and drug smuggling with far-reaching implications.
What will happen in Season 4 ofo Dark Winds?
The series’ gripping fourth season focuses on the search for a missing Navajo girl, which takes Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito from the safety of Navajo Nation to the gritty terrain of 1970s Los Angeles in a race against the clock to save her from an obsessive killer with ties to organized crime. The new season’s second episode, which is set to debut on Sunday, February 22, marks the television directorial debut of the Zahn McClarnon.
Will there be a Season 5 of Dark Winds?
There is no word yet on whether there will be a fifth season of Dark Winds.
How many episodes are there of Dark Winds?
The first two seasons of Dark Winds had six episodes each. Seasons 3 and 4 of Dark Winds will have eight episodes each, for a running total of 28 episodes. Episodes for Season 4 are as follows:
Episode 401 – “Kǫ’Tsiitáá’ Álnééh (Baptism by Fire)”Premiered Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026Lt. Joe Leaphorn and Sgt. Jim Chee search for a runaway boarding school student. Manuelito considers returning to the NTP. A menacing killer comes to the reservation in search of a target close to the investigation.
Episode 402 – “Bikéé’ Doo Éédahoozįįdę́ę́góó (Toward Their Unknown Paths)”Premieres Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito uncover new clues to the missing girl's whereabouts in the wake of a deadly shooting.
Episode 403 – “Ahááldláádígíí (That Which Has Been Torn Apart)”Premieres Sunday, March 1, 2026Leaphorn 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.
Episode 404 – “Ni’ Ániidí (The New World)”Premieres Sunday, Mar. 8, 2026Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito search for Billie in Los Angeles. Chee is confronted by memories of his past while Leaphorn reconnects with Emma. Vaggan returns to the hunt when she learns that Billie is in town looking for her remaining family.
Episode 405 – “Atída’ahiilyaágíí (Those Who Harmed One Another)”Premieres Sunday, Mar. 15, 202Leaphorn and Manuelito assist the FBI with an investigation in exchange for information on a new lead. Chee goes undercover to get intel on Billie's cousin. Billie makes a life-changing discovery.
Episode 406 – “Shíká Nidanitáhą́ą́ (Those who were searching for me)”Premieres Sunday, Mar. 22, 2026When Chee's new intel provides a clue to Vaggan's identity, Leaphorn enlists the FBI to help ambush the killer. Manuelito and Emma help Chee with his recovery from a close call while he is haunted by a specter from his past.
Episode 407 – "Nániikai (We Came Back)”Premieres Sunday, Mar. 29, 2026Leaphorn and Manuelito find themselves racing against the clock to save Billie from Vaggan. Chee recovers as he confronts the difficult truth about his past. Billie reconnects with a long-lost family member.
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Episode 408 – “Ni’ Hodisxǫs (The Glittering World)”Premieres Sunday, Apr. 5, 2026Leaphorn engages Vaggan in a battle of wills in order to and save himself and Billie from a grisly fate.
Where does Dark Winds film?
Dark Winds films in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and its surrounding areas.
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Meet the cast of Dark Winds
Zahn McClarnon as Joe Leaphorn and Jessica Matten as Bernadette Manuelito. Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMCZahn McClarnon as Joe Leaphorn
Zahn McClarnon is best known for his roles on Longmire, and the second seasons of both Fargo and Westworld. He is of Lakota and Irish ancestry. McClarnon will make his directorial debut in season 4 of Dark Winds.
Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMCKiowa Gordon as Jim Chee
Gordon is best known for his role as shapeshifter Embry Call in the Twilight Saga. The German-born Gordon is of European and Hualapai, a Native tribe indigenous to Arizona. Other credits include The Red Road, Roswell, New Mexico, and Quantum Cowboys.
Jessica Matten as Bernadette Manuelito. Photo Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMCJessica Matten as Bernadette Manuelito
Matten is of Red River Métis and Cree heritage on her mother's side, with British-Chinese ancestry on her father's side. She is a direct descendant of Cuthbert Grant, the first rebel Métis leader, known for the Battle of Seven Oaks in Canada. Matten's credits include Burden of Truth, Tribal, and Frontier.
A MartinezA Martinez as Gordo Sena
Martinez came to prominence after starring on the soap opera Santa Barbara, but this writer remembers him from a show called Whiz Kids which starred Little House on the Prairie alum Matthew Labyorteaux. He later told Parade he left that show to take on the role of Cruz Castillo in Santa Barbara! Prior to landing that role, Martinez guest starred on shows like Barney Miller, The White Shadow, and Police Woman. He has since gone on to work on shows like Longmire (with McClarnon), The Rookie, and NCIS.
Deanna AllisonDeanna Allison as Emma Leaphorn
This is Allison's first series regular role. She previously appeared in Accused and Edge of America.
Were there any notable actors in from Season 3 of Dark Winds?
Yes! Check out who joined the cast for Season 3 of Dark Winds.
Jenna ElfmanCourtesy of AMC (Courtesy of AMC)Jenna Elfman as Agent Sylvia Washington
Elfman is best known for her role as "Dharma" on the ABCsitcomDharma & Greg. Her credits include Will Trent, Shifting Gears, and Fear the Walking Dead.
Fun fact: Musician Danny Elfman is her uncle-in-law.
Jeri RyanCourtesy of AMC (Courtesy of AMC)Jeri Ryan as Rosemary Vines
Ryan is best known for playing former Borg drone Seven of Nine on Star Trek: Voyager and reprising the role for Star Trek: Picard. Other credits include Bosch, Leverage, and Dark Skies.
Bruce GreenwoodCourtesy of AMC (Courtesy of AMC)Bruce Greenwood as Tom Spencer
Greenwood is best known for his roles in Thirteen Days, The Sweet Hereafter, and Double Jeopardy. More recently he is recognized for his role as Christopher Pike in the Star Trek series of movies directed by J. J. Abrams starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto as Kirk and Spock, respectively.
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Other guest stars in Season 3 of Dark Winds include Raoul Max Trujillo, Tonantzin Carmelo, Alex Meraz, Terry Serpico, Derek Hinkey and Phil Burke.
Who will join the cast in Season 4 of Dark Winds?
Franka Potente. Michael Moriatis/AMCFranka Potente as Irene Vaggan
Potente is cast in a key guest starring role as Irene Vaggan. Potente is probably best known for her roles in Run Lola Run and Copper. Her other credits include The Bourne Supremcy, Dark Matter, and Psych.
Titus Welliver as Dominic McNair. Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMCTitus Welliver as Dominic McNair
Welliver joins the cast as McNair, a ruthless crime boss who imports and exports drugs and stolen luxury goods into and out of Los Angeles.
Chaske Spencer as Sonny. Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMCChaske Spencer as Sonny)
Charismatic and lethal, Sonny is a recruiter for a Los Angeles crime ring. He uses his charm and menace to lure young Native American men new to the city into a life of crime. Spencer is best known for playing Sam Uley in the Twilight films. His other credits include Longmire, Banshee, and Blindspot.
Isabel Deroy-Olson as Billie Tsosie. Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMCIsabel DeRoy-Olson as Billie Tsosie
DeRoy-Olson joins the cast as a series regular. Her character, Billie Tsosie, is a Navajo teenager who just wants the freedom to connect with her people outside of her boarding school. When her cousin takes her out of school, she finds herself quickly in over her head with only resourcefulness to her alive.
Luke Barnett as Toby Shaw
Barnett joins the cast in a recurring role as FBI Special Agent Toby Shaw. Shaw arrives in town searching for answers to a mystery involving one of his friends. While he's loyal to the Bureau, he finds himself in deep with Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito.
Who serves as executive producer on Dark Winds?
Zahn McClarnon serves as an executive producer on the series, and he'll also direct an episode in Season 4. Some other notable names on the executive producer roster include Robert Redford and Game of Thrones author, George R. R. Martin.
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Is there a sneak peek of Dark Winds?
Yes! Check out the final trailers for Season 4 of Dark Winds below.
Check out some images from the new season of Dark WindsDark WindsAMCFranka Potente. Michael Moriatis/AMC
Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon. Michael Moriatis/AMC
Franka Potente. Michael Moriatis/AMC
Zahn McClarnon. Michael Moriatis/AMC
Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten. Michael Moriatis/AMCIsabel Deroy-Olson as Billie Tsosie. Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMC
Frank Potente as Irene Vaggan. Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMCCredit: Michael Moriatis/AMC
Zahn McClarnon as Joe Leaphorn, Jessica Matten as Bernadette Manuelito and Kiowa Gordon as Jim Chee. Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMCA (A)Zahn McClarnon as Joe Leaphorn and Jessica Matten as Bernadette Manuelito. Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMC
Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMC
Kiowa Gordon as Jim Chee - Dark Winds _ Season 4, Episode 3 - Photo Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMCJessica Matten as Bernadette Manuelito - Dark Winds _ Season 4, Episode 3 - Photo Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMC
Zahn McClarnon as Joe Leaphorn an Kiowa Gordon as Jim Chee. Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMC
Zahn McClarnon as Joe Leaphorn and Jessica Matten as Bernadette Manuelito. Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMCChaske Spencer as Sonny. Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMC
Zahn McClarnon as Joe Leaphorn, Jessica Matten as Bernadette Manuelito and Kiowa Gordon as Jim Chee. Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMC
Zahn McClarnon as Joe Leaphorn, Jessica Matten as Bernadette Manuelito and Kiowa Gordon as Jim Chee. Photo Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMCTitus Welliver as Dominic McNair. Credit: Michael Moriatis/AMC
This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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