If you’ve just stumbled upon the gritty, sun-bleached world of Leaphorn and Chee, you’re probably looking at your watch and wondering how much time you need to clear for a binge-watch. It’s a fair question. Unlike those massive 22-episode network procedurals that seem to drag on into eternity, this AMC neo-Western plays it much leaner.
Honestly? It's short.
As of right now, there are exactly 12 episodes of Dark Winds available to watch.
The show follows a very specific, almost European-style release structure. Instead of bloating the season with filler episodes where characters just sit around drinking coffee and talking about their feelings, creator Graham Roland and the writers' room (which includes heavy hitters like Zahn McClarnon himself as an executive producer) keep things tight. Each season tells a complete, harrowing story based on the iconic Leaphorn & Chee book series by Tony Hillerman.
Breaking Down the Seasons
The show is split perfectly down the middle. Season 1, which premiered back in 2022, consists of six episodes. Season 2, which landed in 2023, also consists of six episodes.
That’s it.
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You can literally knock out the entire series in a single dedicated Saturday if you’ve got enough snacks. Each episode runs roughly 40 to 50 minutes. If you do the math, that's about nine or ten hours of total screen time. It’s basically two very long movies. This brevity is actually why the show works so well. It captures the vast, lonely atmosphere of the Navajo Nation in the 1970s without losing the thread of the central mystery.
Why Are the Seasons So Short?
You might be wondering why AMC didn't order more. Usually, when a show is a hit—and Dark Winds definitely is, pulling in high ratings and critical acclaim—networks want to squeeze every drop of content out of it.
But Dark Winds is different.
The production is intense. They film on location in New Mexico, often at Camel Rock Studios and across various tribal lands. It’s physically demanding work. More importantly, the source material dictates the pace. Tony Hillerman’s novels aren't 800-page doorstops; they are lean, atmospheric noir thrillers. Season 1 adapted Listening Woman, while Season 2 took on People of Darkness. Trying to stretch those plots into 10 or 13 episodes would have killed the tension.
Robert Redford and George R.R. Martin, who both serve as executive producers, seem to prioritize the "prestige" feel over quantity. It's about quality. It's about that specific, slow-burn dread that builds when Joe Leaphorn stares out over the desert.
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What About Season 3?
Here is the good news for anyone worried about that 12-episode limit.
AMC officially greenlit Season 3, and production has been moving along in 2024 and 2025. Following the established pattern, Season 3 will also feature six episodes. When that drops, the total count will move to 18. The wait has been a bit longer than fans wanted, partly due to the industry-wide strikes that shifted everyone's schedule, but the momentum hasn't slowed down. The third season is expected to dive into another Hillerman classic, likely continuing the trend of self-contained but emotionally connected arcs.
Is It Worth Watching Given the Short Run?
Absolutely.
Sometimes people see a low episode count and assume the show lacks depth. That’s a mistake here. Dark Winds tackles massive themes: the historical trauma of the boarding school system, the tension between traditional Navajo beliefs and modern policing, and the sheer corruption of the 1970s American West.
Zahn McClarnon gives what is arguably the best performance of his career. Kiowa Gordon’s Jim Chee provides a perfect foil—a man caught between two worlds, trying to figure out where he fits. Because there are so few episodes, every scene matters. There is no "skip" episode.
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How to Catch Up Before the New Episodes Drop
If you’re looking for those 12 episodes, they live primarily on AMC and AMC+. However, because of the way streaming licenses work now, you might find them popping up on other platforms for limited windows. For a while, Max (formerly HBO Max) had a deal to stream AMC content, but these things change fast.
The best bet is always the source.
If you're a physical media nerd, Season 1 and Season 2 are both out on Blu-ray and DVD. It's actually a great way to see the cinematography without the bitrate compression you get from streaming. The desert colors in this show are breathtaking, and they deserve the highest resolution possible.
Actionable Tips for the Dark Winds Fan
Since the episode count is low, you might find yourself with a "Dark Winds" shaped hole in your life once you finish. Here is what you should actually do:
- Read the Books: There are over 20 novels in the Leaphorn & Chee series. Even if you've seen the show, the books offer a much deeper internal monologue for Joe Leaphorn. Start with The Blessing Way or Dance Hall of the Dead.
- Check out "The Daughter of Dawn": If you're interested in indigenous representation in film, this is a 1920 silent film with an all-Native cast. It's a fascinating historical touchstone for how far things have come with shows like Dark Winds and Reservation Dogs.
- Track the Season 3 Premiere: Keep an eye on AMC’s official press releases for the exact date. With production wrapped, the marketing blitz usually starts about two months before the first episode airs.
- Watch "Longmire": If you haven't seen it, Zahn McClarnon plays a recurring character (Officer Mathias) who is essentially a different flavor of the archetype he plays in Dark Winds. It’ll help tide you over.
The 12 episodes currently available are a masterclass in modern noir. Don't let the small number fool you; they pack more punch than most shows do in three times the length.