Dark Winds: Season 3

Production Announcement

New Mexico Film Office Announces Television Series “Dark Winds” Season 3 Filming in New Mexico

Santa Fe, NM—New Mexico Film Office Director Amber Dodson announced today that the third season of “Dark Winds” has begun principal photography in and around Santa Fe and Tesuque Pueblo.

“Dark Winds” is created by Graham Roland (“Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,” “The Returned,” “Almost Human,” “Fringe”) and John Wirth (“Hell of Wheels,” “Hap and Leonard”) serves as showrunner. The series is executive produced by Roland, Wirth, Zahn McClarnon (“The Son”), Robert Redford (“The Mustang”), George R.R. Martin (“Game of Thrones”), Chris Eyre (“Smoke Signals”), Tina Elmo, Jim Chory, Vince Gerardis, and Anne Hillerman.

The series stars Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon (“The Red Road”), and Jessica Matten (“Tribal”). Additions to this season’s cast include Jenna Elfman (“Fear the Walking Dead”) and Bruce Greenwood (“The Fall of the House of Usher”), as well as Raoul Max Trujillo (“Mayans”), Tonantzin Carmelo (“La Brea”), Alex Meraz (“The Walking Dead”), Terry Serpico (“Yellowstone”), Derek Hinkey (“American Primeval”), Phil Burke (“Rabbit Hole”), Christopher Heyerdahl (“Under the Banner of Heaven”), and returning guest stars A. Martinez (“Longmire”) and Deanna Allison (“Accused”).

“Dark Winds” is a psychological thriller based on Tony Hillerman's iconic book series Leaphorn & Chee. Set in the 1970s on a remote outpost of the Navajo Nation, it follows the story of Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Deputy Chee as they uncover clues in a grisly double murder case, leading them deeper into the mysticism of Navajo spirituality and the sins of their past.

Season three picks up six months after the events of season two as the duo investigates the disappearance of two boys, with only an abandoned bicycle and a blood-stained patch of ground left in their wake. Meanwhile, Bernadette Manuelito (Matten) attempts to settle into her new life 500 miles from home with the Border Patrol but stumbles across a conspiracy involving human and drug smuggling with far-reaching implications.

"We are elated to welcome Dark Winds back for season three,” Dodson said. “The series' return is a testament to New Mexico's commitment to being a platform for authentic Indigenous filmmaking, as the series not only showcases the stunning landscapes of our state but also brings a unique and important story to life. The production's continued investment in New Mexico crew and talent benefits our creative economy, and we look forward to another successful season."

The production will employ 200 New Mexico crew members, 280 background/extras, and 90 New Mexico principal actors.

The New Mexico film industry continues to flourish by reaching over $1 billion in economic impact for the 2024 calendar year. Economic impact encompasses direct spending on productions, wages paid to crew members and actors, and indirect spending at hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that the industry supports.

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