Dark Winds Season 4 Release Date, Netflix & More: What to Know

Hey, TV fans! Get ready to dive deep into one of the most talked-about thrillers around. Dark Winds just dropped its highly anticipated third season on Netflix, complete with a rare 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, and we've got all the juicy details about its upcoming fourth season, including its exciting new direction and premiere date!

TL;DR: Quick Bites for the Busy Fan

Dark Winds Season 3, featuring the late Robert Redford's final acting role, recently landed on Netflix.
The show has achieved an incredible feat: a perfect 100% critic score across all three seasons on Rotten Tomatoes.
Season 4 is officially set to premiere on AMC and AMC+ on February 15, 2026, taking our beloved Navajo Tribal Police officers on a thrilling new case to Los Angeles.

Unpacking the Phenomenal Success of Dark Winds Across Seasons

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If you haven't been watching Dark Winds, you've been missing out on a truly special show! This American psychological thriller, set in the gripping 1970s Four Corners area of the American Southwest, has been making waves since its debut in 2022. It follows three Navajo Tribal Police officers—Lt. Joe Leaphorn, Sgt. Jim Chee, and Officer Bernadette Manuelito—as they navigate complex crimes intertwined with supernatural elements and traditional Navajo myths.

What makes Dark Winds stand out in a crowded TV landscape? Well, for starters, it's one of those rare gems that critics just can't get enough of. All three seasons have garnered a perfect 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes! That's not just good; that's phenomenal, especially for a series that consistently delivers with each new installment. Critics have raved about its "riveting" nature and how it "continues to exceed expectations."

Behind the Camera Brilliance: The Iconic Talents Driving Dark Winds

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While the cast, led by the exceptional Zahn McClarnon, might not be household names to everyone, there's some serious A-list power behind the scenes. The show proudly counts legendary figures like the late Robert Redford and Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin among its executive producers. This creative muscle undoubtedly contributes to the show's rich storytelling and high production value.

Tragically, Dark Winds Season 3 marks a poignant moment in cinema history: it features Robert Redford's final acting performance. Redford, who passed away at 89 on September 16, 2025, made a cameo in the first episode of the third season as an inmate playing chess. It was a fitting, if brief, bookend to a monumental career that significantly shaped the Western genre, a legacy he continued to uphold as an executive producer on the series since its inception in 2022. He's even credited as an executive producer for Season 4!

"McClarnon is a singular performer in modern television, one who, with each season of Dark Winds gives a more heart-wrenching performance than the last."

— Kaiya Shunyata, RogerEbert.com

The People's Verdict: Audience Reception and Soaring Popularity

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While critics are consistently blown away by Dark Winds, what do regular viewers think? The audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes tell an interesting story: Season 1 scored 77%, Season 2 dipped slightly to 68%, but Season 3 bounced back strongly with 80%. This shows a passionate fanbase, even if the general audience scores don't always match the critics' perfect 100%.

Interestingly, despite the fluctuation in audience scores, the show's overall popularity is definitely on the rise. Data from Google Trends reveals that worldwide interest in Dark Winds hit an all-time high in March 2025, right when the third season premiered on AMC. The recent drop of Season 3 on Netflix, on October 27, 2025, is expected to further amplify this popularity, reaching an even wider audience.

This show isn't just a hit; it's also award-winning! The first episode of Season 1, "Monster Slayer," earned an Outstanding Fiction Television Drama from the Western Heritage Awards in 2023. The same year, the series collected multiple Vision Awards from the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC), including Best Drama and Best Performance for Zahn McClarnon. It's clear that the authentic storytelling and strong performances resonate deeply with both critics and industry professionals.

Your Guide to Catching Up Before Dark Winds Season 4 Arrives

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Ready to jump into the world of Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and his team? You're in luck! All three current seasons of Dark Winds are now available to stream. You can find them on AMC+ for loyal AMC subscribers, and for Netflix users in the United States, Season 3 recently joined the first two seasons, making it the perfect time for a binge-watch.

The series is based on Tony Hillerman's beloved "Leaphorn & Chee" novel series, adapted for television by Graham Roland. It's a neo-western thriller that skillfully blends traditional crime procedural with the rich cultural tapestry of the Navajo Nation. If you enjoy intricate mysteries, strong character development, and unique cultural insights, this show is a must-see.

Dark Winds Season 4 Intel Drop: Heading to the Gritty Streets of LA!

The biggest news for fans is, of course, the upcoming fourth season! AMC Networks announced back in February 2025 that Dark Winds would be returning for another eight hour-long episodes. Mark your calendars: Season 4 premieres on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on AMC and will also be available for streaming on AMC+. A first-look teaser for Season 4, "The Price of the Badge," was released on October 23, 2025, giving us a shadowy glimpse of what's to come.

A New Case and a New City for Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito

Season 4 is going to take our heroes far from the familiar red rocks of the Navajo Nation. The central plot revolves around the search for a missing Navajo girl, a case that will lead Lt. Joe Leaphorn, Sgt. Jim Chee, and Officer Bernadette Manuelito 800 miles west to the gritty, neon-lit terrain of 1970s Los Angeles. They'll be racing against time to save her from an obsessive killer with unsettling ties to organized crime, all while navigating the complexities of an unfamiliar urban landscape.

This season draws inspiration from Tony Hillerman's novel The Ghostway, promising to be packed with high-stakes action and profound emotional and cultural layers. Plus, fans can expect the lingering cliffhangers from Season 3 to ripple through, especially concerning Leaphorn's crumbling marriage to Emma after he revealed his role in B.J. Vines' death.

Returning Favorites and Exciting New Faces Joining the Cast

The core cast is, thankfully, all coming back to tackle this new challenge. Here’s who you can expect to see:

Zahn McClarnon as Lt. Joe Leaphorn (and he’s also making his directorial debut this season!)
Kiowa Gordon as Sgt. Jim Chee
Jessica Matten as Officer Bernadette Manuelito
Deanna Allison as Emma Leaphorn
A. Martinez as Scarborough Police Department Acting Chief Gordo Sena

And brace yourselves for some compelling new characters who will be joining the fray:

Franka Potente (known for Run Lola Run) as Irene Vaggan, described as a merciless sociopath and survivalist who might be the deadliest foe the team has faced yet.
Isabel DeRoy-Olson (from Fancy Dance) as Billie Tsosie, the missing Navajo teenager at the heart of the new mystery.
Chaske Spencer (from Twilight) as Sonny, an underworld recruiter.
Luke Barnett (from Faith Based) as FBI Special Agent Toby Shaw.
Titus Welliver (from Bosch) as Dominic McNair, a powerful crime boss.

Why Dark Winds Continues to Be a Must-Watch Series

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What truly sets Dark Winds apart is its commitment to authentic storytelling and its nuanced portrayal of Indigenous culture. It's more than just a crime thriller; it delves into the coexistence of Indigenous tribes with larger non-Indigenous society, offering a perspective rarely seen on television. The series has been lauded for its complex characters, gripping storylines, and its ability to blend suspense with spiritual depth.

With executive producers like George R.R. Martin and the enduring legacy of Robert Redford, alongside a talented cast and crew, Dark Winds Season 4 is primed to deliver another exceptional viewing experience. If you haven't started this journey yet, now's the perfect time to catch up before Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito embark on their most challenging case yet!

Frequently Asked Questions About Dark Winds

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When does Dark Winds Season 4 premiere? Dark Winds Season 4 is set to premiere on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Where can I watch Dark Winds seasons 1-3? All three seasons of Dark Winds are available to stream on AMC+ and Netflix (in the United States). What is Dark Winds rated? Dark Winds is rated TV-MA, indicating it's intended for mature audiences. How many episodes are in each Dark Winds season? Season 1 and 2 each have six episodes, while Season 3 and the upcoming Season 4 will both consist of eight hour-long episodes. Sources