‘Dark Winds’ is filming its fifth season in Santa Fe, N.M.
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Another gripping season of Dark Winds is already in the works.
The hit detective thriller series, which is based on Tony Hillerman’s Leaphorn & Chee book series, was renewed for season 5 before the fourth season premiered on AMC in February 2026. The series, which debuted in 2022, has become one of the network’s most popular franchises.
Dark Winds began production for season 5 in March in Santa Fe, N.M., with a slew of returning and new cast members. Zahn McClarnon, who portrays lead Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, is expected to continue to help the Navajo Tribal Police solve crimes on the reservation with the help of colleagues Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) and Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten).
While an official release date for season 5 of Dark Winds has not been released, AMC confirmed that it will air sometime in 2027 and feature eight episodes.
Here’s everything to know about Dark Winds season 5.
Has Dark Winds been renewed for season 5?
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“Over four seasons, Dark Winds has masterfully blended compelling character-driven stories, Navajo culture, spirituality and breathtaking cinematography. We are elated to continue the journey alongside showrunner John Wirth and the incomparable Zahn McClarnon,” Dan McDermott, Chief Content Officer of AMC Networks and President of AMC Studios, said in a statement at the time.
“Over four seasons, Dark Winds has masterfully blended compelling character-driven stories, Navajo culture, spirituality and breathtaking cinematography. We are elated to continue the journey alongside showrunner John Wirth and the incomparable Zahn McClarnon,” Dan McDermott, Chief Content Officer of AMC Networks and President of AMC Studios, said in a statement at the time.
The network also shared that season 5 will consist of eight episodes, just like the last two seasons.
What will Dark Winds season 5 be about?
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While an official synopsis for season 5 of Dark Winds has not been announced, it will likely continue following Lieutenant Leaphorn as he leads the Navajo Tribal Police to protect the Navajo Nation in the 1970s.
Leaphorn also receives help from his teammates, Detectives Chee and Manuelito.
However, events in season 4 threatened the balance of the team, as Leaphorn was debating whether to retire, while Chee and Manuelito were also considering different career paths. Just when it appeared as though Leaphorn was thinking of hanging up his hat, he discovered the shocking news that his longtime friend and the former Scarborough County Sheriff, Gordo Sena (A Martinez), was murdered.
Season 5 will pick up where the finale left off and may revolve around the trio returning to the police force, once again, to solve Gordo’s murder.
Who will be in the Dark Winds season 5 cast?
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As of July 2026, McClarnon is the only returning cast member to have officially been confirmed for season 5. AMC announced that in addition to reprising his role as Leaphorn, McClarnon will also be directing the second episode.
In addition to McClarnon, Gordon and Matten, season 4 also starred Deanna Allison and featured guest appearances from Franka Potente, Isabel DeRoy-Olson, Chaske Spencer, Luke Barnett, Titus Welliver, A Martinez and Linda Hamilton, among others.
Although an official cast list has yet to be announced, several new cast members have been added for season 5. In March, Deadline revealed that Paola Núñez was cast as series regular Luisa Alvarado — an investigator for the U.S. Attorney’s office who has a history with Leaphorn.
Later that month, Martin Sensmeier was also confirmed to be joining as series regular Terry Bai, a “former Vietnam vet turned racetrack worker” who has connections to Chee, per Deadline.
Meanwhile, several other actors have been named as part of the recurring cast for season 5. Noel Fisher appears to have been cast as the villain, with Deadline reporting that he’ll play a “dangerous killer” involved in a deadly gang. In addition, Devin Sampson-Craig will act as recurring character Daniel Ironwater, Jr., a “skilled ranch-hand whose time in Vietnam has left him conflicted and heading down the wrong path.”
Other recurring stars include John Patrick Jordan as FBI agent Dale Hicks, John Hoogenakker as Sheriff Mark Bishop and Gregory Cruz as Manuelito’s father and veteran Ed.
When will Dark Winds season 5 be released?
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Dark Winds season 5 will be released sometime in 2027.
While AMC has not announced an official premiere date, season 3 debuted in March 2025 and season 4 in February 2026.
Where can I watch Dark Winds?
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The first four seasons of Dark Winds are available to stream on AMC+ and Netflix.
Season 5 of Dark Winds will be available to watch on AMC.
