Dark Winds Season 4: Confirmation, Cast & Everything We Know
AMC’s neo-noir series Dark Winds has returned for its third season in early 2025, and it has also been renewed for season 4. Based on the Tony Hillerman novels, the series is set in the 1970s and follows Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon), Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), and Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten), officers of the Navajo Tribal Police who crack cases in the American Southwest. Tinged with gritty cynicism and twisting narratives, the show is a throwback to the neo-noir masterpieces of the past, while also feeling incredibly modern as well.
With work progressing behind-the-scenes on the upcoming episodes, the latest news confirms that Dark Winds season 4 is already filming. The news was broken by author George R.R. Martin, who also serves as a producer on the AMC series. On his website, Martin shared that season 4 will feature eight episodes and filming is underway in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Doing his duty as a producer, Martin also took some time to hype the upcoming season, including the directorial debut of star Zahn McClarnon.
Read Martin’s post below:
The third season of DARK WINDS, based on Tony Hillerman’s classic tales of Navajo detectives Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, made its debut on AMC and AMC+ on March 9, to strong ratings and even stronger reviews. One critic said its past time to give Zahn McClarnon an Emmy. I can only agree. DW has eight episode this season (up from six for seasons 1 and 2). We’ll have eight episodes in season four as well… and filming has already started filming. Zahn himself is directing episode one! We’re all excited about that. Kiowa, Bernadette, Chris Eyre, Stephen Paul Judd, New Mexico’s amazing landscapes… lots of reasons to watch this one, if you haven’t done so already. As for those two guys playing chess in the jail cell in episode one… yes, could be one was the Sundance Kid, but t’other hombre… some guy from the Twilight Zone?
DARK WINDS is shooting just north of Santa Fe, at Camel Rock Studios. Meanwhile, over in London, season three of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON has also started filming. You’ll be getting eight episodes of that one too. Hitting the air in 2026, best guess.
Dark Winds Season 4 Is Confirmed
AMC Gets Ahead Of The Curve With Season 4’s Renewal
Unlike the series, which is unflinchingly suspenseful, AMC decided to leave the suspense out of the equation when they renewed Dark Winds for a fourth season in February 2025. The news broke a week or so before the season 3 debut, and speaks to the overwhelming confidence that the network has in the neo-noir hit. The show missed 2024 due to a myriad of unforeseen circumstances, and it could be that AMC is hoping to avoid any future delays by giving the show an early renewal. With that in mind, AMC plans to deliver Dark Winds season 4 in 2026.
Dark Winds season 3 premiered on March 9, 2025.
A production timeline isn’t known yet, but it stands to reason that shooting will begin before the end of 2025. The only thing confirmed about season 4 thus far is that Zahn McClarnon will make his directorial debut, but it isn’t clear how many episodes he will helm.
McClarnon, showrunner John Wirth, and AMC’s president of entertainment Dan McDermott issued the following joint statement to celebrate the show’s renewal:
McDermott: When we greenlit the first season of Dark Winds, we saw the potential for an authentic and long-running franchise that could live alongside the worlds we were building around The Walking Dead and Anne Rice. That is exactly what this cast and creative team delivered, and the fans have responded. It starts with Tony Hillerman’s unforgettable novels, cared for and attended to by a producing team that includes the likes of Robert Redford, George R. R. Martin, Chris Eyre and our showrunner John Wirth, and — at the center of everything — the truly extraordinary Zahn McClarnon and the entire cast. Fans have embraced this series on AMC/AMC+ and made it a Top 10 show on Netflix for a solid month last fall. There is so much great storytelling yet to come in these expanded third and fourth seasons.
McClarnon: I’m looking forward to exploring and inhabiting the character of Joe Leaphorn once again in Season 4, and I’m excited to make my directorial debut on a show that means so much to me. I’d like to send my gratitude and appreciation to Kristin Dolan, Dan McDermott and all of the hard-working folks at AMC Networks for their support and commitment to Dark Winds. And of course, I’m most thrilled to be spending time with this wonderful cast and crew whom I have grown to love.
Wirth: Kristin Dolan, Dan McDermott and everyone at AMC Networks have been so supportive of our little show. I know I speak for our superlative writers, extraordinary cast and dedicated crew when I say we are excited and energized by the opportunity to continue exploring and expanding the world of Dark Winds in a fourth season.
Dark Winds Season 4 Cast Details
Who Will Return In Season 4?
One of the strongest aspects of Dark Winds is the cast, and there are a few returns that are certain in season 4. Though the full cast won’t be known for some time, it’s already been confirmed that Zahn McClarnon will be back to reprise his role as Tribal Police officer, Joe Leaphorn. Besides performing in season 4, McClarnon will also make his directorial debut. Joining him will be the younger and more reluctant Tribal Police officer Jim Chee (played by Kiowa Gordon). Finally, though she’s no longer with the Tribal force, Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten) will return too.
The first new cast member for season 4 has been announced, and Mayfair Witches star Franka Potente will play an as-yet-unknown guest role. She’s likely the first of many newcomers who will join season 4, but only time will tell when other stars will be announced.
The cast of Dark Winds season 4 will include:
| Actor |
Dark Winds Role |
|
| Zahn McClarnon |
Joe Leaphorn |
 |
| Kiowa Gordon |
Jim Chee |
 |
| Jessica Matten |
Bernadette Manuelito |
 |
| Franka Potente |
Unknown |
 |
Dark Winds Season 4 Story Details
Will Bernadette Return To The Tribal Police Force?
It remains to be seen if Leaphorn can conquer his demons, or if he’ll continue to be tormented by his past actions going forward
Because season 3 isn’t over yet, it’s impossible to guess exactly what’s going to happen in season 4. However, there are likely a few storylines that could carry over across the two installments. It remains to be seen if Leaphorn can conquer his demons, or if he’ll continue to be tormented by his past actions going forward. Furthermore, Chee’s return to the Rez is a reluctant one, and he may decide to leave again in the future. Finally, Bernadette’s tenure with the Border Patrol hasn’t been very smooth, and she may leave the federal job soon.
Though Dark Winds is always unpredictable, it’s expected that season 4 will serve up a new case for the Tribal Police. Each season has had an overarching case to challenge the officers, and season 4 has plenty of Tony Hillerman novels to pull inspiration from. Unfortunately, season 4 will be shrouded in mystery until more details are available at the end of season 3.
