Netflix crime thriller perfect for Yellowstone spin-off fans that 'begs to be binged'
The six-part drama is labelled as the most underrated series on TV
A crime thriller that 'begs to be binged' and is said to be perfect for fans of a Yellowstone spin-off has just been added to Netflix.
Dark Winds first hit screens back in 2022, with its third season airing over in the US earlier this year on the network AMC. It's already confirmed to be returning for a fourth season, which will air sometime next year.
However, while UK viewers still have some time to wait until the third instalment is made available, it's now easier than ever to catch up. That is because the drama's debut season has just been included as part of Netflix's ever-changing library.
The six-part first season is set in 1971 on a remote outpost of the Navajo Nation near Monument Valley in the American southwest. Its story follows Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Tribal Police as he grapples with a series of seemingly unrelated crimes. The deeper he delves into the truth, the more he uncovers the scars of his past.
He's joined on this journey by his new deputy, Jim Chee - who has old scores of his own to settle from his youth on the reservation. Together, they confront the forces of evil, each other, and their own personal demons on the path to redemption.
The show is based on the Leaphorn and Chee series of crime novels, penned by Tony Hillerman. Hillerman wrote 18 of these books between 1970 and 2006. Following Hillerman's death, his daughter Anne took over writing the series, with the most recent instalment published in 2024.
Each season of the series draws inspiration from one or two of the original books for its plot and characters. The title of the adaptation itself is borrowed from the fifth publication.
Those who binge their way through the first instalment in record time can get a head start on the second season if they have access to U&Alibi. This channel is also available for those with an entertainment pass on Sky platform NOW.
The TV adaptation was brought to life by Graham Roland, who has a track record of writing for hit shows such as Lost, Prison Break, and Fringe. He's also the brains behind the Tom Clancy-inspired series Jack Ryan, which stars The Office star John Krasinski.
Late Hollywood legend Robert Redford and Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin are credited as executive producers on the show. They even made a surprise cameo together in a recent episode, complete with a cheeky nod to the wait for Martin's latest book.
Remarkably, every season of Dark Winds has bagged a flawless 100 per cent score on review site Rotten Tomatoes. Critics showered praise on the show at its launch, not only for shining a light on aspects of Navajo culture often overlooked by American television, but also for crafting a crime drama that viewers simply couldn't resist binge-watching.
One reviewer said: "Dark Winds may seem similar to other detective shows but it's more than that. With well-written and sharply defined characters, plus an invigorating and tightly wound story, it's hard to wait a week for each episode to drop."
Another critic, reviewing the first season for The Guardian, said it "begs to be binged". They added: "It is a knotty, atmospheric mystery that still feels fleet enough to be tackled in one or two binges."
The show is frequently recommended to fans of Yellowstone spin-off 1883 and recent Netflix series American Primeval. More than one Reddit thread seeking recommendations for what to watch after these shows also mentions Dark Winds.
One critic boldly claimed that it's the perfect substitute for True Detective, drawing parallels between the recent series of the anthology show and its use of Native American mythology. However, many viewers who've already binged the series have been left scratching their heads as to why Dark Winds doesn't already have more recognition among most regular TV viewers.
One questioned: "I do not understand why people are not talking about the show or why it did not receive any awards and nominations. It's magnificent. The plot is really good, the pace is great and the acting of the main characters excellent."
Another fan took to social media to declare: "Dark Winds is the most underrated show on TV. Old time police show with all native actors."
While another simply said: "May I ask why are we all sleeping on Dark Winds! ? I'm on episode four of season one now....like holy s****. This is premium murder mystery neo western television. Zahn McClarnon is incredible."
Dark Winds season one is streaming on Netflix with season one and two streaming on U&Alibi and NOW.