A Hidden Gem Finds New Life on Netflix

A gripping crime drama that critics say “begs to be binged” has finally arrived on Netflix — and it’s quickly being hailed as essential viewing for fans of Yellowstone and its spin-offs.

That show is Dark Winds, a slow-burn neo-Western thriller set in the early 1970s on the Navajo Nation. Originally airing on AMC in 2022, the series has already built a devoted following in the U.S. and has been renewed for Season 4, set to debut next year. With its first season now streaming on Netflix, UK audiences can finally see what all the praise is about.

Inside the Story: Crime, Culture, and Redemption

Dark Winds takes place in 1971 at a remote police outpost near Monument Valley, where Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) investigates a string of mysterious crimes that seem unrelated — until deeper truths begin to surface.

Leaphorn is joined by his new deputy, Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), a man with his own buried secrets and unfinished business on the reservation. Together, they face not only the dangers of their investigation but also the ghosts of their pasts.

Based on the bestselling Leaphorn and Chee novels by Tony Hillerman, the show skillfully blends noir-style detective storytelling with Navajo spirituality and community life. Each season adapts one or two of Hillerman’s books, weaving together new perspectives on identity, justice, and belonging.

The Creative Power Behind the Series

Created by Graham Roland (Jack Ryan, Fringe, Prison Break), Dark Winds boasts an impressive list of executive producers — including Robert Redford and Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin, who even make a playful cameo together in one episode.

Their collaboration has produced a rare kind of television — an atmospheric, morally rich thriller that critics say revitalizes the Western genre.

Why It’s Perfect for Yellowstone and True Detective Fans

Like Yellowstone and its prequels (1883, 1923), Dark Winds captures the rugged beauty and moral complexity of life in the American West. But it does so through the lens of Native American characters and storytelling, offering a refreshing and authentic perspective.

The show has earned a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score for all three of its seasons, praised for its rich character work, sharp writing, and striking cinematography. One Guardian review called it “a knotty, atmospheric mystery that still feels fleet enough to be tackled in one or two binges.”

Viewers on Reddit have echoed the acclaim, with one fan calling it “premium murder mystery neo-Western television” and another declaring, “Dark Winds is the most underrated show on TV.”

Where to Watch

Season 1 of Dark Winds is now streaming on Netflix, with Seasons 2 and 3 available on U&Alibi and Sky’s NOW Entertainment Pass. Season 4 is expected to air in 2026 on AMC and AMC+.

If you love Yellowstone, True Detective, or American Primeval, this is the next must-watch thriller to add to your list — a haunting, intelligent Western that lingers long after the final credits roll.