The acclaimed AMC noir thriller Dark Winds is gearing up for its most haunting season yet. As production on Season 4 wrapped up in late 2025, whispers from the set paint a picture of a show venturing into profoundly sacred territory, blending crime drama with Navajo spiritual elements in ways that have left the cast and crew profoundly affected.
Star and executive producer Zahn McClarnon, who reprises his role as Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, took on additional responsibilities this season—not only acting but also making his directorial debut on a key episode. Reports from insiders reveal that McClarnon went beyond typical directing duties during one of the season’s pivotal scenes. He reportedly paused filming entirely to seek the blessing of a respected Navajo elder and conduct a traditional spiritual ritual on set. This moment of reverence underscores the production’s commitment to authenticity, especially as the story delves into themes of cultural taboo, trauma, and the supernatural.
The script for this crucial sequence was rewritten multiple times to ensure cultural accuracy, resulting in a darker, more solemn tone that permeates the entire season. Sources describe the atmosphere shifting to something more sacred and unsettling, with the narrative exploring “ghost sickness”—a Navajo concept involving spiritual affliction from contact with death—and other deeply personal reckonings for Leaphorn and his team.
Adding to the intrigue, a leaked behind-the-scenes clip has circulated among industry circles, showing an actor breaking down in tears between takes, whispering, “This doesn’t feel like a show anymore.” The emotional intensity apparently stemmed from the scene’s raw portrayal of spiritual elements, blurring the line between performance and genuine experience. While the production team has maintained discretion about specifics to respect Navajo traditions, it’s clear that Season 4 aims to honor Indigenous perspectives without exploitation.
Dark Winds, based on Tony Hillerman’s Leaphorn & Chee novels, has always prioritized cultural consultation. The series employs Navajo advisors to guide depictions of rituals and beliefs, ensuring sensitivity around private or sacred practices. This approach has earned praise for its authentic representation, with previous seasons achieving perfect Rotten Tomatoes scores. Season 4 continues this tradition, taking the detectives—Leaphorn (McClarnon), Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), and Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten)—from the Navajo Nation to the underbelly of 1970s Los Angeles in pursuit of a missing girl tied to organized crime.
Insiders note that while McClarnon directed a standout episode, the season benefits from a collaborative vision, amplifying its eerie, introspective vibe. The result promises to be the series’ most unsettling installment, balancing gripping mystery with profound spiritual depth.
Premiering February 15, 2026, on AMC and AMC+, Season 4’s eight episodes are poised to captivate audiences once again. With its blend of noir tension and cultural reverence, Dark Winds continues to set a high bar for Indigenous-led storytelling on television.
