The spirit of Hollywood legend Robert Redford is deeply woven into the fabric of AMC’s psychological thriller Dark Winds. Following his passing in September 2025, the show’s creative team has made sure his influence and memory remain a central part of the series. As Season 4 arrives, viewers are seeing touching tributes that celebrate the man who spent nearly four decades trying to bring these stories to television.
Redford, who died at the age of 89, was more than just a famous name attached to the project. He held the rights to author Tony Hillerman’s Leaphorn & Chee novels since 1986 and worked tirelessly to get them adapted in a way that respected Native American culture and voices. His patience and dedication finally paid off when Dark Winds premiered in 2022, and now the show is ensuring his legacy lives on.
A Dedication That Sets the Tone for Season 4
When viewers tune into the Season 4 premiere on February 15, 2026, the first thing they will see is a dedication card honoring Robert Redford. It is a simple but powerful gesture that reminds everyone watching of the man who made the series possible.
Zahn McClarnon, who stars as Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and also serves as an executive producer, has been open about what Redford meant to him personally. The actor grew up watching Redford’s movies and never imagined he would one day work alongside him. McClarnon recalls having dinner at Redford’s house, where the Hollywood icon shared stories about filming classics like Three Days of the Condor and A River Runs Through It. Those moments, McClarnon says, were incredibly special and inspiring for him as both an actor and a first-time director.
The dedication is just the beginning of how Season 4 pays respect to Redford’s memory.
Hidden Tributes in Plain Sight
The creative team behind Dark Winds wanted to honor Redford in ways that feel natural to the story rather than forcing obvious memorials. One of the most creative tributes comes later in the eight-episode season when the Navajo Tribal Police trio travels to 1972 Los Angeles.
eagle-eyed viewers will spot a movie theater marquee in the background advertising Jeremiah Johnson, the classic 1972 Western that starred Robert Redford. It is a brief, quiet moment that does not interrupt the story but rewards attentive fans who know the history.
For showrunner John Wirth, including this detail was important. He grew up watching Redford’s films and wanted to find organic ways to keep his presence felt throughout the season. The Jeremiah Johnson reference works perfectly because it places Redford within the time period the characters are visiting while also acknowledging his deep connection to Western storytelling.
The Final Performance That Almost Didn’t Happen
Before his passing, Redford surprised everyone by appearing in Season 3 of Dark Winds. The cameo, which aired in March 2025, featured Redford sharing a jail cell with fellow executive producer and author George R.R. Martin. The two played chess while waiting for Lieutenant Leaphorn to arrive.
What many viewers do not know is that this scene almost never happened. Wirth had previously written a much different cameo that involved a five-horned sheep and a science fiction twist. That idea was scrapped when Martin declined to participate. Months later, both camps expressed interest in doing something simpler.
The original plan was for Redford and Martin to sit silently playing chess while the drama unfolded around them. But on the day of filming, Redford changed his mind. He wanted to say something.
Wirth scrambled to write a few lines, and Redford ultimately delivered what became his final words on screen: “George, the whole world’s waiting. Make a move.” It was a playful jab at Martin’s famously slow progress finishing his Winds of Winter novel, and Redford delivered it with perfect timing. After Martin’s character made a winning move, Redford added a sarcastic “Thanks a lot” with that trademark smile.
The scene lasted barely a minute, but it captured everything fans loved about Redford. He was charming, witty, and completely in command even at 88 years old.
What the Cast and Crew Say About Working With Redford
Everyone involved with Dark Winds has nothing but respect for how Redford conducted himself on set. Director Chris Eyre, who helmed the episode featuring Redford’s cameo, noted that the actor requested a closed set to keep things simple and focused. He treated Eyre with full respect as the director, never pulling rank or trying to take over despite his legendary status.
“I think what he wanted was to give me that right as a director and a filmmaker,” Eyre explained. He described Redford as generous, patient, and supportive throughout the process.
For Wirth, watching Redford work was a career highlight. He admitted being nervous when Redford seemed frustrated during early takes. But then something remarkable happened.
“Bob sat up, centered himself, and right before our eyes became what Robert Redford had always been in front of the camera – perfect,” Wirth wrote in a personal tribute for Variety. “At the age of 88 Robert Redford still had it — his star power was intact, and no one could take their eyes off him.”
McClarnon, who grew up idolizing Redford, found himself in the surreal position of giving the screen legend direction during the chess scene. His character offers Martin’s character a chess move that leads to checkmate. After filming, McClarnon treasures the memory of having dinner with Redford and hearing stories about films that inspired him as a young actor.
The Deeper Legacy Beyond the Screen
Redford’s contribution to Dark Winds goes far beyond his brief on-screen appearance. The executive producers released a collective statement after his passing that captured his true impact on the series and on Indigenous representation in Hollywood.
“His passion, rebellious spirit and leadership has opened doors for many Native and Indigenous voices,” the statement read. “We’re inspired to continue Bob’s legacy. Robert Redford’s creative inspiration is woven into the fabric of Dark Winds, and we’re eternally grateful for his stewardship.”
AMC Networks also issued a statement recognizing Redford’s decades of work bringing Hillerman’s novels to the screen. The network noted that he had been developing the series for almost 40 years before it finally reached audiences.
The Sundance Institute, which Redford founded, is also honoring his memory with a three-part series celebrating his artistic legacy. The first event took place on February 10, 2026, and was made available online so fans everywhere could participate.
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Why This Matters for Dark Winds Moving Forward
As Dark Winds continues into future seasons, the creative team faces the challenge of honoring Redford’s memory while telling their own stories. The foundation he helped build gives them a strong platform to work from. His insistence on authentic representation and Native voices behind and in front of the camera set the standard that the show continues to follow.
The show has already earned critical praise for its portrayal of Navajo culture and its commitment to hiring Indigenous writers, directors, and actors. That approach reflects exactly what Redford wanted when he first acquired the rights nearly four decades ago.
Season 4 promises more of the tense psychological thriller elements that fans love, but it also carries the weight of saying goodbye to a man who meant so much to the project. The Jeremiah Johnson tribute and the season premiere dedication are small ways of keeping Redford present even though he is no longer with us.
For viewers who may have missed Redford’s cameo in Season 3, it remains a beautiful final note in a career that spanned more than six decades. From his first screen credit in 1959 to that jail cell chess game in 2025, Redford never lost the magic that made him a star.
Dark Winds airs Sundays on AMC and is available for streaming on AMC+. Season 4 premiered on February 15, 2026, and will continue for eight episodes. For viewers in the UK, the series airs on AMC UK, while Canadian viewers can watch on AMC Canada. Australian audiences can find the show on Stan, and Indian viewers can stream it on Lionsgate Play.
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