Uncover the Hidden Talents: A Complete Cast & Character Guide to the AMC Thriller Dark Winds

Summary

The Dark Winds season 2 cast features some familiar faces like Rainn Wilson and Noah Emmerich, as well as returning original cast members.

In Season 2, Dark Winds delves into the sociopolitical challenges that Native communities in the 1970s encounter, all the while paying homage to Tony Hillerman's novels. Zahn McClarnon brilliantly portrays Joe Leaphorn, a Navajo police lieutenant grappling with an enigmatic medical condition, while Kiowa Gordon shines as Jim Chee, a youthful officer who employs contemporary investigative techniques.

Dark Winds returned for its highly anticipated second season on AMC, bringing back the talented main cast alongside some intriguing new additions. The gripping crime drama, based on Tony Hillerman's popular Leaphorn & Chee mystery novels, follows the investigations of Navajo police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee in 1970s New Mexico. Zahn McClarnon delivers a remarkable performance as Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, while Kiowa Gordon captivates audiences once again as Detective Jim Chee. Joining them in the second season are familiar faces Rainn Wilson and Noah Emmerich, as well as other original cast members who make a welcome return. This season, viewers are treated to an enthralling storyline that sees Leaphorn and Chee facing a perplexing murder case, all the while grappling with Leaphorn's serious medical condition that threatens his career in law enforcement. Furthermore, Dark Winds continues to shed light on the sociopolitical struggles experienced by Native communities during this era, a theme that holds immense significance in Hillerman's novels. With a talented and diverse cast, Dark Winds explores these issues with the utmost respect and commitment, creating a truly immersive experience.

Zahn McClarnon as Joe Leaphorn

Zahn McClarnon, known for his portrayal of Joe Leaphorn in the Dark Winds cast, embodies the role of a seasoned Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant. Leaphorn takes center stage as the primary character throughout the series. Initially, in the first season, he finds himself on the cusp of retiring. However, circumstances bring him into a partnership with the younger Jim Chee. While Leaphorn leans towards traditional Navajo detective work, Chee possesses expertise in forensic and scientific investigative techniques. Moving into the second season, Leaphorn remains Chee's partner, but his character faces the challenge of an undisclosed medical condition—potentially cancer—that greatly impacts his perspective.

Born and raised in Denver, Zahn McClarnon honed his acting skills while studying in school. He began his career with appearances in smaller movies and TV shows, but it was his breakthrough role as Mathias, Chief of the Indian Tribal Police on the Cheyenne reservation in Longmire, that propelled him into the spotlight in 2012. Since then, McClarnon has made notable contributions to the entertainment industry, including prominent roles in Fargo season 2, the TV series Timeless, and his portrayal of the leader of the Ghost Nation in Westworld. He has also showcased his talent in films such as No Hard Feelings, The Forever Purge, and Doctor Sleep.

Kiowa Gordon as Jim Chee

Kiowa Gordon portrays the character Jim Chee in Dark Winds. In contrast to the older and more traditional Leaphorn, Chee is a younger character who was recruited by the FBI out of law school to assist in investigations. His utilization of modern forensic techniques often clashes with the traditional beliefs of the Navajo Nation. However, when Leaphorn recognizes the limitations of his old-school approach in the first season, he turns to Chee for assistance, embracing the more contemporary methods employed by his younger partner. As they enter the second season of Dark Winds, the duo continues to work together, with Chee learning from Leaphorn's experience just as the older officer learns from him.

Gordon, an actor of Native American descent with Hualapai heritage, was born in Germany while his father was working there. He gained significant recognition by portraying the character Embry Call, a shapeshifter, in the immensely popular young adult franchise The Twilight Saga: New Moon. Gordon reprised his role in the following two movies and has since appeared as a main cast member in The Red Road, as well as in a recurring role in Roswell, New Mexico.

Jessica Matten as Bernadette Manuelito

Jessica Matten has joined the cast of Dark Winds, taking on the role of Bernadette Manuelito, a young Navajo police officer. In the first season, Bernadette was driven to prove herself and make a positive impact on the Navajo community. Despite facing challenges as one of the few female officers, her upbringing as an orphan adds depth to her character and complements Chee's more analytical approach. Together, they form an essential part of the police trio on the show. However, in the second season, Bernadette must confront her troubled past as it resurfaces, presenting new obstacles for her to overcome.

Portraying Bernadette is Jessica Matten, a Canadian actress of Red River Métis and Saulteaux-Cree descent through her mother. She gained recognition for her breakthrough role in the Canadian TV series Blackstone in 2014. The show explores the lives of Indigenous individuals residing on a fictional First Nations reserve in Alberta. Since then, she has consistently secured notable roles in television series such as Frontier, Burden of Truth, Tribal, and now the Dark Winds cast.

Rainn Wilson as Dan "Devoted Dan" DeMarco

Rainn Wilson portrays the character Dan "Devoted Dan" DeMarco in Dark Winds. Dan is both a missionary and a used car salesman who has established a cult-like group, aiming to recruit followers. However, when a deceased body is discovered within his compound, it sparks a direct confrontation between Leaphorn and Dan, along with his followers. Among the Dark Winds cast, Wilson is easily recognizable. Originally from Seattle, he pursued drama in school and initially made a name for himself in theater productions. Although his first significant role was in the horror film House of 1000 Corpses by Rob Zombie.

Despite House of 1000 Corpses being his debut of sorts, Rainn Wilson's true breakthrough prior to his involvement in Dark Winds was his portrayal of Dwight Schrute in the American adaptation of The Office, a character that remains highly adored by fans of the series. Since then, he has taken on various notable roles in major films, such as Juno, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, The Meg, Brightburn, and the upcoming 2022 film Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.

Jeremiah Bitsui as Hoski

Jeremiah Bitsui portrays the character Hoski in the TV show Dark Winds. Hoski, also known as James Tso, is a Navajo priest and the leader of the extremist Buffalo Society. This group resorts to violence and theft in order to achieve their objectives. In his dual persona, Hoski would assume the identity of his twin brother to aid in criminal activities while serving as a priest in his other role. However, his story takes a tragic turn in season 1 when he takes his own life, unable to bear the weight of his actions.

Bitsui, who is of Navajo and Omaha heritage, began his acting career at the young age of five. His breakthrough role came at 14 in the film Natural Born Killers. However, it wasn't until a decade later that he landed more significant roles. In addition to his work on the big screen in movies like Lords of Dogtown, Flags of our Fathers, Brothers, and After the Fall, Bitsui has also made a name for himself in television. He notably portrayed Victor in Breaking Bad, and has appeared in shows such as Bosch, Yellowstone, Better Call Saul, and Longmire.

Noah Emmerich as Leland Whitover

Noah Emmerich, a seasoned Hollywood actor hailing from New York City, has joined the cast of Dark Winds in the role of Leland Whitover. Leland, an FBI agent, was a prominent character in the first season of the show, dedicated to investigating a case centered around the Navajo Reservation. Working undercover, Jim Chee was under Leland's supervision during that time. However, unbeknownst to his colleagues, Leland was involved in sinister activities, collaborating with the Buffalo Society and Hoski. In a dramatic turn of events, Leland met his demise in season 1 when he spoke ill of a deceased girl, resulting in her father taking revenge by killing him.

Before his involvement in Dark Winds season 1, Emmerich had an illustrious career in the entertainment industry. Beginning in theater productions, he gradually paved his way to prominence, eventually securing his first leading role in Beautiful Girls. His notable film credits include The Truman Show, Frequency, Super 8, and The Good Nurse. Emmerich's television appearances consist of noteworthy roles in Suspicion, The Walking Dead, White Collar, and perhaps most notably, The Americans, where he portrayed the character of Stan Beeman.

Nicholas Logan as Colton Wolf

Nicholas Logan portrays the character of Colton Wolf in the Dark Winds cast. Wolf, a prominent antagonist in season 2 of Dark Winds, becomes the focus of Leaphorn's investigation after a bombing incident. Shockingly, Leaphorn discovers that Wolf is the man who had tragically taken the life of his son many years ago - and uncovers the identity of the person who had hired Wolf to commit the heinous act. However, before Leaphorn can establish the connection, Wolf meets his demise at the hands of his own benefactor.

Since 2009, Logan has been actively involved in acting, initially taking on minor roles in television series such as Medium, Outsourced, and $#!t My Dad Says. It was in 2018 when he secured his first recurring role in the series Hap and Leonard. Furthermore, Logan has made appearances in renowned shows like NCIS: New Orleans, Queen of the South, and Watchmen on HBO. In the realm of film, he has showcased his talent in movies such as I Care a Lot, Samaritan, and Organ Trail.

Jeri Ryan as Rosemary Vines

Jeri Ryan, a well-known face in the Dark Winds cast, portrays the character of Rosemary Vines. Rosemary is the wife of B.J. Vines, a man responsible for multiple deaths, including that of Leaphorn's son. In the second season, Rosemary enlists the help of Chee to retrieve a stolen box that contains evidence linking her husband to the death of Leaphorn's son. Eventually, Rosemary departs from town, seemingly leaving for good. Born in Germany, Jeri Ryan is an American actress recognized for her participation in the Miss America pageant. However, she gained immense popularity worldwide for her portrayal of the former Borg drone Seven of Nine in Star Trek: Voyager, a role she reprised in Star Trek: Picard. Her remarkable performance earned her four Saturn Award nominations. She has also appeared in notable films such as Dracula 2000 and Disney's The Kid, along with TV shows like MacGyver, Boach, and Body of Proof.

Deanna Allison as Emma Leaphorn

Deanna Allison, who has had limited experience in movies and TV shows, brings her talent to the Dark Winds cast portraying the character of Emma Leaphorn, the devoted wife of Leaphorn. This couple resides on the reservation and had previously endured the heartache of their son's supposed accidental death in an explosion. However, in the show's second season, Leaphorn begins to suspect that the incident was not accidental after all, causing their painful past to resurface. Throughout the series, Emma remains by Joe's side, providing him solace and support as he grapples with the news of his grave illness. In addition to her appearance in one episode of Accused, Allison has also worked as an animation intern for DCAU movies.

Elva Guerra as Sally Growing Thunder

In the Dark Winds cast, Elva Guerra portrays Sally Growing Thunder. Sally, a pregnant teenager on the show, found solace with Leaphorn and his wife Emma as they took her in during her pregnancy. Seeking refuge from an abusive relationship, Sally discovered a protective and nurturing environment within Leaphorn and Emma's care. However, towards the end of the second season, Sally made the decision to leave town with her child, venturing out on her own to raise her baby. Prior to her role in Dark Winds, Guerra depicted the character Jackie in Reservation Dogs.

Eugene Brave Rock as Frank Nakai

Eugene Brave Rock, known for his role as Frank Nakai in the Dark Winds series, portrays a Vietnam veteran and member of an extremist group known as the Buffalo Society. Initially serving as muscle for Hoski in the first season, Frank later becomes involved in a murder mystery in the second season. Eugene Brave Rock, a Canadian actor, began his career in the stunts and performance industry, notably working in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show at Disneyland Paris. He gradually transitioned into acting, starting with minor roles and eventually becoming a stunt trainer for the award-winning film, The Revenant. Prior to his appearance in Dark Winds, his notable on-screen performance was in the DCU movie Wonder Woman, where he portrayed the character Chief.