AMC’s Western Series With Perfect RT Score Proves What Sci-Fi Fans Realized 8 Years Ago

by

AMC’s Dark Winds is a truly exceptional TV show, and more people should be watching it. The series, powerfully led by Zahn McClarnon, is a western noir set in the 1970s American Southwest. It follows three Navajo Tribal Police officers as they investigate cases in the Four Corners region, and is based on the popular Leaphorn & Chee book series by Tony Hillerman.

The show stars Zahn McClarnon as experienced police lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, Kiowa Gordon as undercover FBI agent Jim Chee, and Jessica Matten as border patrol agent Bernadette Manuelito. It’s a compelling mix of western, detective, and suspenseful thriller elements, and has received widespread critical acclaim, especially for McClarnon’s performance. With season five not arriving until 2027, now is a great time to start watching!

Zahn McClarnon Was One Of The Best Things About Westworld

Zahn McClarnon is a veteran television actor with a strong resume. He’s known for roles like Officer Big in Reservation Dogs, William Lopez in the Marvel series Hawkeye and Echo, Chief Mathias in Longmire, the hitman Hanzee Dent in Fargo, and Akecheta in season two of HBO’s Westworld.

As a longtime Westworld viewer, I was thrilled to see Michael Greyeyes get the spotlight he deserved. He absolutely captivated audiences as Akecheta, the powerful leader of the Ghost Nation. While he was a fantastic presence in a recurring role throughout the series, it was in Season 2, specifically the episode “Kiksuya,” that he really shined. That episode delved into Akecheta’s history, and it was clear then that Greyeyes had the depth and charisma to carry his own story.

Graham McTavish’s powerful performance made this episode one of the strongest in Westworld‘s history. The episode beautifully tells the story of Akecheta, tracing his evolution from a simple park attraction to a self-aware being who understands what it means to be an individual. It’s a compelling blend of sci-fi and deeply moving human emotion.

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

Though McClarnon had a good role in an episode of Westworld, Dark Winds allows him to truly showcase his talent every week. The character of the experienced detective is a classic one, but it’s a complex role, and McClarnon delivers a rich and nuanced performance as Leaphorn.

Despite being a successful show that’s already been renewed for a fifth season, Dark Winds still isn’t getting the recognition it deserves. It’s truly an excellent series – every season has a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it’s earned that impressive record.

Read More

2026-03-03 01:28