Has 'Dark Winds' been renewed for Season 5? Joe Leaphorn's future after tragic Season 4 finale
‘Dark Winds’ Season 4 released its final episode on Sunday, April 5, 2026. With the show’s latest season coming to an end, all eyes are on updates about the future of the hit series. Fans would be overjoyed to learn that AMC Networks renewed the show for another season earlier this year, further extending the stories of its much-loved characters. According to the official update, the fifth season is already in production, with filming ongoing in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Zahn McClarnon (who also plays Joe Leaphorn) will be directing an episode of the thriller series.
Set to premiere in 2027, the much-awaited Season 5 will consist of eight hour-long episodes. While the Network has yet to announce the exact release date, the news about the renewal is sure to excite fans after Season 4 ended with a shocking death. The finale saw Joe Leaphorn gearing up for his life of retirement when tragedy struck. He learned about the murder of Gordo Sena and is now determined to apprehend his friend's killer. This means retirement is off the table for now, and the new season will likely see Leaphorn dive back into mysterious cases in the pursuit of justice.
Chief Content Officer of AMC Networks, Dan McDermott, who also serves as the President of AMC Studios, spoke about Season 5, noting, "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." He also mentioned that the "extraordinary" production and creative team, along with cast members and the crew, have "crafted a gripping crime drama that continues to be embraced by fans and widely celebrated by critics." Zahn McClarnon also expressed his excitement about the upcoming season and said, "It’s such a privilege to embody the character of Joe Leaphorn, and I’m excited to return to Santa Fe with this amazing cast and crew to craft another thrilling season of the show that means so much to all of us."
The recently concluded Season 4 featured guest stars, including Franka Potente, Isabel DeRoy-Olson, Chaske Spencer, Luke Barnett, Titus Welliver, A. Martinez, and more. However, it is currently unclear what the Season 5 roster will look like. Created by Graham Roland, the AMC show stars Zahn McClarnon (playing Joe Leaphorn), Kiowa Gordon (playing Jim Chee), Jessica Matten (Bernadette Manuelito), Deanna Allison (playing Emma Leaphorn), and more. Additional notable cast members include Franka Potente, Titus Welliver, Linda Hamilton, Luke Barnett, and more. For now, fans can stream the first three seasons of ‘Dark Winds’ on Netflix and the recently released fourth season on AMC and AMC+.
