Reminder: Fifth Season of �Dark Winds� Production Will Employ Nearly 900 New Mexicans
Michelle Lujan Grisham
Governor
Rob Black
Cabinet Secretary
Steve Graham
Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 19, 2026
Contact: Jey Bernal
Jey@NMFilm.com
Fifth season of ‘Dark Winds’ production will employ nearly 900 New Mexicans
SANTA FE - The hit AMC series “Dark Winds” is bringing nearly 900 jobs to New Mexico as it films its fifth season in and around Santa Fe and Tesuque Pueblo, with production continuing through July.
The production employs 564 New Mexico crew members, 67 New Mexico principal actors and 250 New Mexico background/extras.
Based on Tony Hillerman's iconic “Leaphorn & Chee” book series, “Dark Winds” is a psychological thriller that follows two Navajo police officers — Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Deputy Jim Chee — in the 1970s Southwest, as their search for clues in a grisly double murder case forces them to challenge their own spiritual beliefs and come to terms with the trauma of their pasts.
Created and executive produced by Graham Roland (“Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,” “The Returned,” “Almost Human,” “Fringe”), the series stars Zahn McClarnon (“The Son,” “Westworld,” “Fargo”), who is also an executive producer, Kiowa Gordon (“The Red Road,” “Roswell, New Mexico”), Jessica Matten (“Tribal”) and New Mexico resident Deanna Allison Reines (“Accused”). The cast also features A Martinez (“Longmire”).
The series boasts an all-star group of executive producers, including John Wirth (“Hell on Wheels,” “Hap and Leonard”), who is also the showrunner, Chris Eyre, who also serves as director, George R.R. Martin, Robert Redford, Tina Elmo, Jim Chory, Thomas Brady, Max Hurwitz, Vince Gerardis and Anne Hillerman. The popular series’ fifth season was renewed as the fourth season began to broadcast.
“ ‘Dark Winds’ is a prime example of what the New Mexico film industry is about,” said Steve Graham, New Mexico Film Office director. “This production has found its home in the state and continues to not only tell a New Mexico story but have New Mexicans working in front and behind the camera to bring those stories to life on the small screen.”
The New Mexico Film Office was a finalist for two awards at the Cannes Film Festival, including the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award for "Rooted Representation: Authentic Storytelling in New Mexico,” for the series “Dark Winds,” which focuses on culturally authentic storytelling and expanding opportunities for underrepresented communities behind and in front of the camera.
Film and television production supports thousands of jobs and has generated more than $3 billion in direct economic impact over the past five years in New Mexico.
For more information about the project, email darkwindsproductionoffice@gmail.com .
Zahn McClarnon, “Dark Winds” executive producer and star, in a scene from the AMC series, which films in New Mexico. (Courtesy of AMC)
The mission of the New Mexico Film Office (NMFO) is to improve the lives of New Mexicans by growing the entertainment industry opportunities in the state.
As the first film commission in the United States created to market an entire state to the industry in 1968, NMFO has led the way for over 50 years.
Three New Mexico cities were selected as “2026 Best Place to Live and Work as a Moviemaker” by MovieMaker Magazine for the fourth consecutive year.
To learn more, visit nmfilm.com .
The New Mexico Film Office
1100 S. St. Francis Drive, Suite 1242
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 476-5600
info@nmfilm.com
A division of the New Mexico Economic Development Department
The Economic Development Department's Mission is to improve the lives of New Mexico families by increasing economic opportunities and providing a place for businesses to thrive.
New Mexico Economic Development Department | 1100 South St. Francis Dr Joseph M. Montoya Building | Santa Fe, NM 87505-4147 US
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