Attention to anyone currently browsing Netflix for fresh content — especially if you’re in search of a premier crime drama. There’s an AMC thriller linked to “Game of Thrones” that not only meets that criteria; it’s also one of the top trending shows on Netflix at this moment. The series: AMC’s “Dark Winds,” which has ascended to the Netflix Top 10 TV shows chart three years post its TV debut (currently ranking #8 on the platform in the U.S.).
“Game of Thrones” creator George R. R. Martin played a role in bringing this drama to the screen, which is set in the early 1970s within the Navajo Nation (Martin is officially recognized as an executive producer). The series centers on two tribal police officers — Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee — who delve into crimes that initially appear unrelated but gradually draw them into more profound issues. The show elevates the Southwest beyond mere scenery; the place, the land, and the culture coalesce to create the kind of exceptional crime drama that is quite rare. And you need not merely rely on my opinion.
Dark Winds: A culturally significant Western noir
With three seasons completed, the series maintains a flawless 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Zahn McClarnon portrays Leaphorn, a man grappling with personal grief and inner turmoil. His deputy Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) carries his own past associated with the reservation. The dynamic between the two men — occasionally at odds, at other times harmonized — contributes to “Dark Winds” being such an engaging experience. The cast and crew predominantly consist of Native Americans, with attention to detail, including the use of the Diné (Navajo) language. Notably, the writers’ room is staffed by Native Americans, alongside a director and lead actors hailing from various Native American heritages.
Thus, for these reasons, “Dark Winds” delivers an authentic and layered depiction of Diné life that is seldom portrayed in mainstream media.
Time magazine has labeled the series as “captivating, beautifully filmed,” and bolstered by noteworthy performances. “A highly enjoyable series,” praises one 4.5/5 Rotten Tomatoes audience review. “The setting alone makes it worth watching. It doesn’t aim for groundbreaking, which I found refreshing. It offers well-developed characters and excitement. A solid blend of drama and thriller.”
