George R.R. Martin offers a production update on Dark Winds season 4. The Game of Thrones author serves as an executive producer on the thriller series that follows Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) of the Tribal Police. Ahead of the season 3 premiere on March 9, AMC confirmed that Dark Winds season 4 is happening.
On the “Not A Blog” section of his website, George R.R. Martin shared that Dark Winds season 4 has started production north of Santa Fe. The executive producer revealed that season 4 will consist of “eight episodes” with McClarnon, who also serves as an executive producer, and will make his directorial debut to helm episode 1. In addition to the season’s cast and crew, the author also teased “New Mexico’s amazing landscapes” as a highlight in the new season. Check out Martin’s comments below:
The third season of DARK WINDS, based on Tony Hillerman’s classic tales of Navajo detectives Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, made its debut on AMC and AMC+ on March 9, to strong ratings and even stronger reviews. One critic said its past time to give Zahn McClarnon an Emmy. I can only agree. DW has eight episode this season (up from six for seasons 1 and 2). We’ll have eight episodes in season four as well… and filming has already started filming. Zahn himself is directing episode one! We’re all excited about that. Kiowa, Bernadette, Chris Eyre, Stephen Paul Judd, New Mexico’s amazing landscapes… lots of reasons to watch this one, if you haven’t done so already. As for those two guys playing chess in the jail cell in episode one… yes, could be one was the Sundance Kid, but t’other hombre… some guy from the Twilight Zone?
DARK WINDS is shooting just north of Santa Fe, at Camel Rock Studios. Meanwhile, over in London, season three of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON has also started filming. You’ll be getting eight episodes of that one too. Hitting the air in 2026, best guess.
George R.R. Martin Is Already Excited About The Next Season
AMC’s previous announcement noted that Dark Winds season 4 was expected to start filming in March with its arrival scheduled some time in 2026. Season 4 will feature eight hour-long episodes with the confirmed cast including McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, and Deanna Allison, among others. Chaske Spencer (The Twilight Saga) and Franka Potente (Mayfair Witches) are both set to join season 4’s cast.
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Martin’s update confirms that production is currently underway with the return of Bernadette (Matten), who left at the end of Dark Winds season 2 to take a job at the U.S. Border Patrol. With season 3 yet to finish airing, it’s hard to say what will be the main focus in the new season, but the tribal police are expected to tackle a new case following the series’ trend.
Our Take On Dark Winds Season 4’s Filming Update
Dark Winds Is Getting Back On A Yearly Schedule
It seems that Dark Winds season 4’s production has gone according to plan, which means the critically acclaimed series will return in about a year from season 3’s wrap. The thriller series, set in the 1970s, premiered in June 2022 and returned with a second season in July 2023. The COVID pandemic and the Hollywood strikes caused a small delay in season 3’s comeback, but it seems that the series will get back on a yearly release schedule with season 4.
With Dark Winds season 3’s released episodes receiving high praise and ratings from critics and audience alike, along with maintaining a perfect Rotten Tomatoes critical score throughout three seasons, the show’s future is bright.
AMC has previously revealed that they expect to develop Dark Winds as a long-running series alongside Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe, which means that the series is very likely to stick to a consistent release schedule. With Dark Winds season 3’s released episodes receiving high praise and ratings from critics and audience alike, along with maintaining a perfect Rotten Tomatoes critical score throughout three seasons, the show’s future is bright.
Source: George R.R. Martin