Dark Winds star Zahn McClarnon is opening up about why the hit AMC series will never be able to adapt the Tony Hillerman novels completely, even as the show moves forward with a freshly announced fifth season. The actor, who plays Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, shares that the decision comes from a place of deep cultural respect rather than creative limitation.
The psychological crime thriller, set in the 1970s on the Navajo Nation, has earned critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of Indigenous characters and stories. Based on Hillerman’s long-running Leaphorn & Chee book series, the show has carved out its own identity while staying true to the spirit of the source material. With season 4 currently airing and season 5 already greenlit for a 2027 release, McClarnon explains why some elements from the books must remain on the page.
Why Some Book Elements Cannot Translate to Screen
In a recent conversation about the show’s future, Zahn McClarnon addressed a question that many fans of the novels have wondered about. Despite the series having plenty of source material left to explore—with over 18 books in Hillerman’s collection—there are cultural boundaries the show will not cross .
“There are a few Leaphorn & Chee books out there that I would love to delve into,” McClarnon shared. “We have to navigate by the cultural aspects of these books, though, because we’re delving into the Diné culture. We can’t go as far into the culture as the books did” .
The reason comes down to respect for sacred traditions. Some elements of Navajo spirituality and ceremonies are not meant for public viewing or entertainment. McClarnon emphasizes that the show’s team takes this responsibility seriously.
“We’re very aware of that, and we take that extremely seriously, because we have nothing but the utmost respect for the Diné culture. We’re not a documentary, so if people want to explore that culture, they need to spend time with the Navajo people on the Navajo reservation” .
This approach sets Dark Winds apart from other adaptations. Rather than treating the books as a checklist to be completed, the creative team prioritizes cultural authenticity over complete fidelity to the source material.
Season 5 Renewal Confirms AMC’s Commitment to the Series
AMC Networks announced the season 5 renewal in early February 2026, well before the season 4 premiere . This early vote of confidence shows the network’s belief in the show’s continued success.
Dan McDermott, chief content officer of AMC Networks and president of AMC Studios, praised the series in the renewal announcement. “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” .
Production for the new season begins in March 2026 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Like previous seasons, season 5 will consist of eight hour-long episodes scheduled to debut in 2027 . The show films on location in New Mexico, with the Santa Fe crew becoming what Wirth calls “a training ground for Native artists” .
John Wirth, who has served as showrunner since season 2, expressed gratitude for the continued support. “For four seasons now AMC Networks has provided us with the opportunity to entertain audiences through the unique lens of a traditional crime story set on the Navajo Nation in 1972. We are one of one and never take this strong support for granted” .
What Season 4 Brings to the Story
The current fourth season of Dark Winds premiered on February 15, 2026, and brings a significant change of scenery for the characters . This season adapts The Ghostway, one of Hillerman’s novels that takes part of the story to Los Angeles .
The plot follows Leaphorn, Jim Chee (played by Kiowa Gordon), and Bernadette Manuelito (played by Jessica Matten) as they race against time to save a missing Navajo girl. Their investigation pulls them from the safety of the reservation into the gritty terrain of 1970s Los Angeles, where they face an obsessive killer connected to organized crime .
This season also marks Zahn McClarnon’s directorial debut. He directed the second episode, working closely with director of photography Blake Evans to create a distinctive visual style. McClarnon admits directing was never on his radar but calls it a valuable learning experience .
“That medicine cabinet shot was my favorite—but to be honest, it was more director of photography Blake Evans’ idea than mine. We called it our ‘Severance’ shot, actually—he knows how much I love the style of that show, so we talked about going for that” .
The new season introduces several notable guest stars. Franka Potente joins as Irene Vaggan, Isabel DeRoy-Olson plays Billie Tsosie, and Titus Welliver appears as Dominic McNair, a ruthless crime boss operating in Los Angeles . Chaske Spencer and Luke Barnett also join the cast for season 4.
Balancing Book Adaptations with Cultural Authenticity
Dark Winds takes a unique approach to adapting Hillerman’s work. Rather than following one book per season, the show pulls elements from multiple novels and reimagines them for television . Season 1 primarily drew from Listening Woman and People of Darkness, while adding deeper focus on Leaphorn’s personal grief and Chee’s internal conflicts .
What makes the show different from typical adaptations is the presence of Indigenous voices in the writers’ room and behind the camera. The series was created for television by Graham Roland, a Navajo and Chickasaw writer. Chris Eyre, a Cheyenne and Arapaho director, has also served as an executive producer and director .
McClarnon, who is Hunkpapa Lakota, describes his priorities on the show. “Authenticity is the No. 1 concern. We are trying to humanize and normalize Native culture. We’re not a documentary. We’re just a television show” .
The production team works closely with cultural consultants from the Navajo Nation to ensure accuracy in ceremonies, language, and customs. McClarnon himself gives notes on scripts and makes small changes to dialogue to ensure Joe Leaphorn speaks in an authentic way .
Another key goal for McClarnon is creating opportunities for Native talent. “Another big thing for me is the show employing Native writers, Native directors, and Native crew—getting people a jumpstart in the business is very important to me because it’s difficult to get your foot in the door. And I think we’ve been accomplishing that” .
The Challenge of Adapting Hillerman’s Vision
Tony Hillerman’s books have been adapted before. The late Robert Redford served as an executive producer on Dark Winds and had previously produced two films based on the novels—The Dark Wind in 1991 and Skinwalkers in 2002 . George R.R. Martin also serves as an executive producer, and both men made cameo appearances in the season 3 premiere .
Some fans of the books have expressed frustration with the changes made for television. User reviews on IMDb show a range of reactions, with some praising the production values while others wish the show followed the books more closely .
One reviewer noted that while the acting and production are strong, “the spirit and essence of Tony Hillerman’s books are sadly missing. Even worse, the central characters have been warped to suit the screenwriters, and are not true to their originals” .
McClarnon acknowledges these differences but explains the reasoning behind them. “I’ve read 95 percent of the books. And we get together and collaborate on which books we should probably do. But we certainly take creative liberties—Tony Hillerman’s intentions were to honor the Indigenous people in their stories, but we have strong Indigenous voices within our writing room and our directors to recontextualize them into a more accurate point of view” .
This recontextualization means the show can address historical issues that affected Native communities. Season 4 touches on the Relocation Act of 1956, which encouraged Native people to leave their reservations for cities under the promise of jobs and training, but often led to poverty and discrimination instead .
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Where to Watch Dark Winds
Dark Winds airs new episodes on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. ET on AMC and streams on AMC+ . For viewers in other regions, the show is available through various platforms. In Spain, for example, season 4 premiered exclusively on AMC+ on February 16, 2026 .
The first three seasons are available for streaming on AMC+ and through The AMC Collection on Netflix in select regions . This wider availability has helped the show build a global audience beyond its initial AMC viewership.
With season 4 currently airing and season 5 already secured, the future looks bright for Dark Winds. The show has maintained a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes for its first three seasons, a rare achievement that speaks to its quality .
For fans wondering how many more books the series might cover, McClarnon offers hope while maintaining realistic expectations. “We still have quite a few novels left,” he notes. But he also reminds viewers that the show must follow its own path .
The decision to leave some cultural elements unexplored on screen reflects the show’s commitment to doing right by the community it represents. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most respectful choice is knowing what not to show.
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