AMC has announced the renewal of its popular series, Dark Winds, for a third season. The cable channel and its streaming platform, AMC+, have decided to continue with the show due to its success in the past two seasons. Dark Winds ranked among the top 10 cable dramas this season, solidifying its place as a fan favorite. The third season is expected to premiere in early 2025, with production set to resume after strikes by writers and actors come to an end.
Based on the Leaphorn & Chee novels by Tony Hillerman, Dark Winds has been a project in the making for about 30 years. The show stars Zahn McClarnon and Kiowa Gordon as Navajo detectives Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, respectively. The series has garnered attention not only for its gripping storyline but also for its notable executive producers, including Robert Redford and George R.R. Martin.
Dan McDermott, President of Entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks, expressed his excitement about the series’ renewal, stating, “We started this journey with very high hopes for this series, given the remarkable source material and extraordinary creative team behind it, and it has delivered on every level.” McDermott also thanked the fans for embracing the series and the critics for their positive reviews.
Viewership for Dark Winds has been impressive, with the show averaging 1.7 million viewers in Nielsen’s three-day ratings for its second season. While specific streaming figures are not released, AMC stated that the show’s performance on AMC+ improved compared to its first season. This indicates the growing popularity of the series among streaming audiences as well.
Dark Winds boasts a talented cast, including Jessica Matten, Deanna Allison, and Elva Guerra. The second season also featured notable guest stars such as Jeri Ryan, Nicholas Logan, A Martinez, and Joseph Runningfox. With over 90 percent of the cast and crew being Indigenous, the show prioritizes diverse representation both on and off-screen.
The creative team behind Dark Winds is led by showrunner John Wirth, known for his work on Hell on Wheels, and creator Graham Roland, who has previously worked on Jack Ryan. These two are joined by executive producers Zahn McClarnon, Robert Redford (who owns the rights to Hillerman’s novels), George R.R. Martin, Anne Hillerman, Chris Eyre, Vince Gerardis, and Tina Elmo. Their collaborative efforts have resulted in a compelling and captivating series that continues to engage audiences.
Aside from airing on AMC and AMC+, Dark Winds is also available for streaming on Max. The show is part of a “programming pop-up” that showcases several AMC Networks series through October 31st. This initiative allows fans to discover and enjoy a variety of content from the network.
Overall, the renewal of Dark Winds for a third season is an exciting development for fans of the series. The show has proven its quality and popularity, attracting a dedicated viewership and earning critical acclaim. As AMC prepares for production to resume, fans eagerly await the next installment of Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee’s thrilling adventures.
