Dark Winds, the mysterious police drama set in the 1970s is now streaming on Netflix. If the rave reviews are anything to go by, it looks like this series is one to watch.
Executive produced by Game of Thrones creator George R R Martin and the late actor Robert Redford, Dark Winds is based on the Leaphorn & Chee novel series by Tony Hillerman.
First released in 2022 on AMC, the series stars Zahn McClarnon and Kiowa Gordon as Navajo Tribal Police officers, Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, respectively.
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Set in the Four Corners area of the American Southwest in the 1970s, the show follows Lieutenant Leaphorn as he attempts to solve a series of seemingly unrelated crimes with his new deputy, Jim Chee.
The synopsis reads: “When a string of seemingly unrelated crimes strikes the 1970s Navajo Nation, two tribal police officers dredge up old wounds to uncover the truth.”
Created by Graham Roland, Dark Winds also stars Jessica Matten, Deanna Allison, Jeremiah Bitsui, Eugene Brave Rock, Noah Emmerich, Rainn Wilson, Elva Guerra, and John Diehl.
Michael Moriatis/AMC
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Boasting three seasons, all consisting of six episodes, the show was renewed for a fourth season earlier this year. Season three included a guest appearance from the late Hollywood legend Redford, with the surprise cameo marking his last on-screen role.
The gritty and suspenseful drama has been a hit among critics and it currently has a score of 100% Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising McClarnon’s lead performance.
In their review of season one, The Guardian wrote: “It is a knotty, atmospheric mystery that still feels fleet enough to be tackled in one or two binges.”
“Gripping, gorgeously shot and propelled by superb performances, Dark Winds is a very good show that also happens to be very important,” penned TIME Magazine.
Michael Moriatis/AMC
The Boston Globe said: “McClarnon is perfect in the role of a man forced to navigate the difficulties of simultaneously protecting his people while policing them. He moves deliberately throughout the beautifully shot series.”
“Dark Winds feels like it will deftly combine a standard murder mystery, tribal traditions and difficulties, and supernatural elements, tied together by a great performance by McClarnon,” wrote Decider.
Variety had this to say: “Dark Winds has an admirable directness of approach: It doesn’t slow down to explain itself to viewers, trusting that its milieu will come through loud and clear.”
“In the end, Dark Winds is a must-watch for its performances, direction, location, and style. But the show falters in answering its mysteries,” said AV Club.
Dark Winds is now streaming on Netflix.
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Harriet is a freelance news writer specialising in TV and movies at Digital Spy.
A horror enthusiast, she joined Digital Spy after working on her own horror website, reviewing films and focusing largely on feminism in the genre.
In her spare time, Harriet paints and produces mixed-media art. She graduated from the University of Kingston with a BA in fine art, where she specialised in painting. She also has an MA in journalism from Birkbeck University.