Dark Winds Renewed for Season 3 by AMC
Dark Winds is coming back for more!
AMC renewed the acclaimed drama based on the iconic Leaphorn & Chee book series by Tony Hillerman for a third season, with a target premiere date in early 2025.
The show, created by Graham Roland and starring Zahn McClarnon, wrapped up its sophomore outing on AMC and AMC+ with Dark Winds Season 2 Episode 6, “Hózhó náhásdlįį,” on September 3.
Dark Winds Season 2 premiered with Dark Winds Season 2 Episode 1, “Na’niłkaadii,” in July 2023. The show’s sophomore season “was a hit on AMC and AMC+, a top 10 cable drama for the current broadcast season that averaged 1.7 million viewers each week on AMC in Nielsen live+3 ratings,” per AMC.
Its second season also saw a viewership bump on AMC+. As previously reported, Dark Winds Season 1 is featured on Max as part of a two-month programming pop-up for select AMC Networks’ shows.
A shared suspect reunites Lt. Joe Leaphorn with Jim Chee, his former deputy turned private eye, on Dark Winds Season 2.
“They find themselves in the high desert of Navajo Country chasing a killer who’s turned his sights on them to protect a secret that rips open old wounds and challenges Leaphorn’s moral and professional code,” per the season’s official synopsis.
“With the help of Sgt. Manuelito and Valencia County Sheriff Gordo Sena, Leaphorn, and Chee must thwart their would-be assassin and restore balance not only to their own lives, but to the reservation that depends on them.” Alongside McClarnon, Dark Winds stars Kiowa Gordon and Jessica Matten.
Dark Winds Season 2 sees the return of series regulars Deanna Allison as Emma Leaphorn and Elva Guerra as Sally Growing Thunder.
The season also includes guest stars Jeri Ryan as Rosemary Vines, Nicholas Logan as Colton Wolf, A Martinez as Valencia County Sheriff Gordo Sena, and Joseph Runningfox, who portrays Henry Leaphorn, Lt. Joe Leaphorn’s father.
“We started this journey with very high hopes for this series, given the remarkable source material and extraordinary creative team behind it, and it has delivered on every level,” Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks, said.
“From the beloved novels to an incredibly collaborative producing team that includes Robert Redford, George R. R. Martin, showrunner John Wirth, and star Zahn McClarnon, to the entire cast and crew, there is so much storytelling yet to come in this universe,” McDermott added.
“Thanks to the fans for embracing this series and the critics for celebrating and shining a light on it,” McDermott concluded.
More than 90% of the production team in front of and behind the camera of Dark Winds Season 2 were Indigenous.
John Wirth serves as the showrunner on Dark Winds. Roland, Wirth, McClarnon, Robert Redford, George R.R. Martin, Anne Hillerman, Chris Eyre, Vince Gerardis, and Tina Elmo executive produce the show.
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Dark Winds is streaming on AMC+ and Max.
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Kiowa Gordon Talks ‘Dark Winds’ Season 2 and New Dynamics at Play [Interview]
Shelby Elpers
Shelby is a TV enthusiast and pop culture writer. She's an avid podcast listener, green tea drinker, and soccer fan. Her brand can be summarized in rom-coms, superheroes, teen dramas, and workplace comedies.