Your Next Mystery Awaits: 'Dark Winds' Season 4 Premiere Date & First Look Details

Get ready for more gripping thrills! AMC's acclaimed noir series 'Dark Winds' is returning in February 2026, bringing Lt. Joe Leaphorn and his team a brand-new, dangerous case that stretches far beyond the Navajo Nation.

TL;DR: What You Need To Know About 'Dark Winds' Season 4

• Premiere Date & Where to Watch: Season 4 drops Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 9 pm ET/PT on AMC and AMC+.
• New Case, New Location: Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito head to 1970s Los Angeles to find a missing Navajo girl, facing an obsessive killer and organized crime.
• Familiar Faces & Fresh Blood: Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, and Jessica Matten are back, joined by new stars like Franka Potente and Titus Welliver, with McClarnon also making his directorial debut!

Good news, mystery fans! Mark your calendars because the critically acclaimed thriller 'Dark Winds' is officially returning for its fourth season on Sunday, February 15, 2026! You'll be able to catch all the action on both AMC and AMC+, with each of the eight new episodes clocking in at an hour long.

If you've been following the intense mysteries and rich character development on the series so far, you know how good this news is. Based on Tony Hillerman’s beloved "Leaphorn & Chee" book series, and specifically adapting his 1984 novel, The Ghostway for this season, 'Dark Winds' brings the world of Navajo Tribal Police in the 1970s to life with a unique blend of noir atmosphere and cultural depth.

A New Unsolved Mystery for the Navajo Tribal Police

Season 4 is set to throw our favorite officers into their most challenging case yet. Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (the incredible Zahn McClarnon) and his dedicated team, Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) and Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten), will be tackling the search for a missing Navajo girl. But this isn't just another case on the reservation.

The investigation will pull them far from the familiar safety of the Navajo Nation and plunge them into the "gritty terrain of 1970s Los Angeles." Talk about a change of scenery! They'll be racing against the clock to rescue this young girl from an "obsessive killer" who has deep "ties to organized crime." Sounds like things are about to get seriously dangerous and complex.

"I had this badge for four years before I saw my first murder. Now it just feels like every day. It’s hard having to hold it all. I’m sorry I’m asking you to."

— Lt. Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) in the Season 4 teaser

That quote from the recently released first-look teaser really sets the tone, doesn't it? It perfectly captures the toll these relentless cases are taking on Leaphorn, highlighting the "price of justice" and the heavy burden he carries. The trailer reportedly shows a glimpse of a corpse and Leaphorn investigating a crime scene with a flashlight, suggesting the dark, intense atmosphere we've come to expect.

You can expect to see this thrilling first-look teaser make its on-air debut during the series premiere of "Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order" this Sunday on AMC. Get ready for a taste of the action!

Who's Returning and Who's Joining the Cast for Season 4

The core team you know and love is back, ready to face whatever L.A.'s underworld throws their way. Here's a rundown of the fantastic cast for 'Dark Winds' Season 4:

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

But it's not just familiar faces! Season 4 is bringing in some exciting new talent to shake things up. Get ready to meet these intriguing new characters:

• Franka Potente as Irene Vaggan (a "merciless sociopath and survivalist," described as a "gas-mask-clad archvillain." Sounds like a major threat!)
• Isabel DeRoy-Olson as Billie Tsosie (the missing Navajo teenager at the heart of the mystery, described as decisive and resourceful)
• Chaske Spencer as Sonny (a charming but menacing recruiter for a Los Angeles crime ring)
• Luke Barnett as FBI Special Agent Toby Shaw
• Titus Welliver as Dominic McNair (a ruthless crime boss involved in drug and luxury goods trafficking in L.A.)

What a lineup! The addition of these new characters, especially Irene Vaggan and Dominic McNair, hints at a formidable network of antagonists that Leaphorn and his team will have to unravel in the urban jungle of Los Angeles.

Behind the Scenes: The Talented Minds Making 'Dark Winds' Happen

It takes a village to create a show as compelling as 'Dark Winds,' and the team behind it is seriously impressive. The series was created by Graham Roland, known for his work on shows like 'Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan' and 'Fringe.' John Wirth, celebrated for his work on 'Hell on Wheels,' continues to serve as the showrunner.

And let's not forget the powerhouse executive producers. The late Robert Redford and 'Game of Thrones' author George R.R. Martin are among the executive producers, lending their immense talent and vision to the series. They're joined by Roland, Wirth, McClarnon (yes, he's an executive producer too!), Chris Eyre, Tina Elmo, Jim Chory, Thomas Brady, Max Hurwitz, Vince Gerardis, and Anne Hillerman (daughter of the original book series author, Tony Hillerman).

A really cool detail for Season 4 is that Zahn McClarnon isn't just starring and executive producing; he's also making his directorial debut for one of the eight episodes! That's a huge step and we can't wait to see his vision brought to life from behind the camera.

Catch Up on the Drama: What Happened Last Season?

If you need a refresher before Season 4 hits, or if you're new to the show (what are you waiting for?!), here's a quick recap of where we left off and some important character background that will certainly play into the new season's dynamics:

• Leaphorn's Personal Turmoil: Season 3 was rough for Joe Leaphorn. He was still reeling from the death of his son and eventually killed B.J. Vines, the man responsible. This act, and the lie he told about orchestrating Vines' death, caused a rift with his wife, Emma (Deanna Allison), who subsequently left him. Emma expressed that she would "walk alone" because Joe had become "too consumed by their son's death." However, there's a glimmer of hope: Joe was seen replaying a deposition tape where Emma optimistically stated, "I hope one day I can forgive him." This suggests a potential focus on their estranged marriage and the possibility of reconciliation in Season 4.
• Chee and Manuelito's Journey: Bernadette Manuelito briefly left the Navajo police to work for the US Border Patrol, where she stumbled upon a sinister criminal conspiracy and nearly got buried alive. Thankfully, she returned and finally shared a long-awaited romantic moment with Jim Chee, consummating their simmering tension. It'll be interesting to see how their relationship evolves amidst the new dangers.
• Past Traumas: The series has also explored Leaphorn's past trauma, revealing he was forced to abandon his culture after being sent to a Christian boarding school. These deeper personal histories add layers to the characters and their motivations.
• Season 3's Main Case: The third season saw Leaphorn and Chee investigating the mysterious disappearance of two boys, initially believed to be the work of the Ye’iitsoh, a legendary monster from Navajo folklore. The true culprit turned out to be a crooked archaeologist, Dr. Reynolds, leading to an exhilarating train chase.

With a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score for its first three seasons, 'Dark Winds' has consistently delivered gripping storytelling and powerful performances. If you're looking to catch up, all three seasons are available to stream on AMC+. Plus, Season 3 is hitting Netflix on Monday, October 27 (2025), so there's no excuse not to dive into this incredible series!

The journey from the windswept mesas of the Navajo Nation to the neon-lit streets of 1970s Los Angeles promises to be an epic one. With such a strong foundation and an exciting new direction, 'Dark Winds' Season 4 is shaping up to be a must-watch event. Get ready to bundle up for those "dark winds" in February 2026!

Frequently Asked Questions About 'Dark Winds' Season 4

What is the release date for 'Dark Winds' Season 4? 'Dark Winds' Season 4 is set to premiere on Sunday, February 15, 2026. Where can I watch 'Dark Winds' Season 4? You can watch 'Dark Winds' Season 4 on AMC and stream it on AMC+. How many episodes will be in 'Dark Winds' Season 4? Season 4 will consist of eight hour-long episodes. Where does the story for 'Dark Winds' Season 4 take place? The new season's mystery will take Lt. Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee, and Bernadette Manuelito from the Navajo Nation to 1970s Los Angeles.

Sources:

• Variety - 'Dark Winds' Sets Season 4 Release Date, Zahn McClarnon Returns With an Unsolved Mystery in Teaser Trailer
• Deadline - 'Dark Winds' Sets Season 4 Release Date At AMC; First-Look Teaser
• The Hollywood Reporter - Zahn McClarnon Faces Obsessive Killer as Next Case in 'Dark Winds' Season 4 Teaser
• Bleeding Cool - Dark Winds Season 4 Set for Feb. 15th: New Teaser, Details Released
• Collider - 'Dark Winds' Season 4 Release Date Revealed With a New Teaser
• Vital Thrills - Dark Winds Season Four Premiere Date and First Look
• Flickering Myth - Dark Winds Season 4 Teaser Trailer Released
• UPI - 'Dark Winds' Season 4 premieres Feb. 15