Led by Zahn McClarnon’s incredible performance, AMC’s western noir series Dark Winds is one of the greatest TV shows on the air right now, and not enough people are watching it. Based on the Leaphorn & Chee series of books by Tony Hillerman, Dark Winds revolves around three Navajo Tribal Police officers working in the Four Corners area of the American Southwest in the 1970s.

McClarnon plays veteran police lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, Kiowa Gordon plays undercover FBI agent Jim Chee, and Jessica Matten plays border patrol agent Bernadette Manuelito. The series is a unique blend of western, noir, and psychological thriller, and it’s been universally acclaimed by critics, with particular praise going to McClarnon. Before the fifth season premieres in 2027, it’s the perfect time to catch up.

Zahn McClarnon Was One Of The Best Things About Westworld

McClarnon is a seasoned TV actor who’s appeared in a bunch of great shows over the years. He’s played Officer Big in Reservation Dogs, William Lopez in the Marvel shows Hawkeye and Echo, police chief Mathias in Longmire, hitman Hanzee Dent in Fargo, and Akecheta in the second season of HBO’s futuristic sci-fi thriller Westworld.

Westworld fans knew that McClarnon was deserving of his own starring vehicle from his performance as Akecheta. Akecheta is the leader of the Ghost Nation. McClarnon is credited as a recurring cast member in most episodes, but he was bumped up to main cast status in season 2, episode 8, “Kiksuya,” which focused on his character’s backstory.

McClarnon’s heartbreaking turn elevated this episode to one of Westworld’s best. It follows Akecheta’s journey from being a mindless robot at an amusement park to gaining consciousness and discovering a sense of personhood. It’s a perfect intersection of science fiction and human drama.

Dark Winds Allows Zahn McClarnon Way More Range Than Westworld Ever Did

While McClarnon got a chance to shine in that one episode of Westworld, Dark Winds gives him that opportunity in every single episode. The grizzled long-time detective is a familiar archetype, but it’s a meaty part for an actor to sink their teeth into, and McClarnon brings a ton of depth and nuance and texture to his portrayal of Leaphorn.

Although it’s been popular enough to make it to four seasons and earn a season 5 renewal, Dark Winds still doesn’t quite get the appreciation it deserves. I can’t overstate how great this show is; all four seasons have a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and the series is more than deserving of that spotless track record.