'Dark Winds' Announced for Fourth Season on AMC

The acclaimed neo-noir thriller Dark Winds is set to make its highly anticipated return for a fourth season on AMC and its streaming counterpart, AMC+. The network has slated the premiere for Sunday, February 15th, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, promising eight hour-long episodes that will continue the series' signature blend of cultural investigation, mystery, and crime set primarily within the Navajo Nation.

Critical Acclaim and Executive Pedigree

The series has cemented its place as a critical darling, boasting a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Its continued success is underpinned by the involvement of formidable executive producers, including Hollywood legend Robert Redford and fantasy maestro George R.R. Martin.

The narrative, based on Tony Hillerman’s Leaphorn & Chee novels, is created by Graham Roland (known for Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan). The story meticulously follows the Navajo Tribal Police as they navigate complex crimes against the vibrant, often turbulent backdrop of 1970s New Mexico. The new season will continue to be overseen by showrunner John Wirth (Hell on Wheels), who also serves as a producer.

New Frontiers and Behind the Camera Debuts

The core cast is returning, featuring Zahn McClarnon as the stoic Lt. Joe Leaphorn, Kiowa Gordon as the ambitious Jim Chee, Jessica Matten as the resourceful Bernadette Manuelito, and Deanna Allison as Emma Leaphorn. This season marks a significant milestone for McClarnon, who also serves as an executive producer: he will make his television directorial debut, stepping behind the camera for an episode.

Season four will dramatically expand the series' geographical scope, taking Lt. Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito beyond the confines of the reservation and into Los Angeles. The new case involves the search for a missing Navajo girl and throws the police into a confrontation with an obsessive killer whose motives are tangled with organized crime elements.

The roster of performers is growing with several notable additions, including Franka Potente (Run Lola Run), Isabel DeRoy-Olson (Fancy Dance), Chaske Spencer (The Twilight Saga), Luke Barnett (The Crossing Over Express), and Titus Welliver (Bosch). A. Martinez is also confirmed to return as the familiar figure of Acting Chief Gordo Sena.

Teasers and Catch-Up

AMC has already offered fans a brief first-look teaser providing a glimpse into Leaphorn’s latest investigation. This teaser is scheduled to debut on-air this Sunday during the premiere broadcast of Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order.

Viewers who need to catch up on the earlier installments can stream the first three seasons of Dark Winds on AMC+, while Seasons 1 and 2 are currently available through The AMC Collection on Netflix, with Season 3 set to join the platform on Monday, October 27th.

The production team includes numerous additional executive producers: Chris Eyre, Tina Elmo, Jim Chory, Thomas Brady, Max Hurwitz, Vince Gerardis, and Anne Hillerman.