Navajo police lieutenant Joe Leaphorn is back on the case, battling inner demons and external threats in the highly anticipated third season of AMC’s thriller “Dark Winds.” Set against the vast, enigmatic backdrop of the 1970s, the series returns with eight gripping episodes that promise spine-tingling suspense and emotional depth. This season holds true to its roots, with a dramatic teaser trailer hinting at a haunting specter from Leaphorn’s childhood and fresh mysteries that intertwine personal vendettas with professional duty.
In the trailer, Zahn McClarnon reprises his role as Leaphorn, reflecting on chilling childhood teachings about earthbound monsters—a thematic echo of his own spectral burden after leaving B.J. Vines for dead in the desert during a harsh winter. The gravity of Leaphorn’s past choices as part of his narrative arc promises deep, complex character evolution for viewers to mull over as they witness his continued atonement.
Officer Jimmy Chee, portrayed by Kiowa Gordon, faces his own set of challenges. As he tries and fails to reach a severely wounded Leaphorn by phone, Chee’s storyline spirals into a knotty mix of suspense and danger. Meanwhile, Leaphorn and Chee embark on a critical investigation involving the mysterious disappearance of two boys, left only with a blood-stained scene and an ominously abandoned bicycle.
Adding to the multi-layered narrative, Bernadette Manuelito, brought to life by Jessica Matten, embarks on her story 500 miles from home, stumbling onto a conspiracy rife with human and drug smuggling implications. With Robert Redford and George R.R. Martin as executive producers, “Dark Winds” continues to weave a narrative rich in cultural and historical textures, receiving a renewal for a third season following last season’s high cable drama rankings.
The third season introduces new faces into the lineup: Jenna Elfman as FBI agent Sylvia Washington, Bruce Greenwood as Tom Spenser, Raoul Max Trujillo as Budge, and Tonantzin Carmelo as border patrol agent Eleanda Garza, promising intriguing new dynamics and plot developments. Under the creative stewardship of Graham Roland, known for “Jack Ryan,” and overseen by showrunner John Wirth from “Hell on Wheels,” the series stays true to its origins, inspired by Tony Hillerman’s Leaphorn and Chee novels.
Dark Winds is remarkable for its dedication to Indigenous representation, with more than 90 percent of its cast and crew consisting of Indigenous people, offering an authentic perspective that enriches the storytelling. As noted by AMC’s recent announcement, Season 3 is set to return on March 9, 2024, on AMC and AMC+.
Closing Credits
March 9 marks the debut of “Dark Winds” Season 3 on AMC and AMC+, bringing back familiar faces and new figures into Leaphorn’s intense world. With a blend of mystery, cultural insight, and raw, human emotion, the series at once honors and innovates upon its literary foundations. Expect touching performances, gripping narratives, and the kind of thoughtful production that places it in cable television’s top echelons. While the plot’s twists await to reveal themselves fully, fans and newcomers alike have every reason to mark their calendars.
