A third season is on the way but it’s not currently due to hit Netflix.
The Western crime noir thriller Dark Winds is having a major moment in the spotlight, thanks to its recent addition to Netflix. If you’re curious whether Zahn McClarnon and Kiowa Gordon will be returning for a third season, the answer is a resounding yes—but it might not be on Netflix.
In case you missed it, Dark Winds Seasons 1 and 2 (12 episodes total) were among 13 AMC shows added to the Netflix US library as part of a significant deal between Netflix and AMC, the premium cable network behind hits like Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead. While this deal didn’t extend to other countries, it’s clear Dark Winds has been a runaway success in terms of viewership. Although Netflix hasn’t released full global numbers, the series managed to break into the global TV top 10 at #6 with 2.3 million views. In the US, the show peaked at #3 on the daily top 10 list, staying in the top 10 for nine days and counting.
Here’s the good news: Dark Winds is officially coming back for a third season! AMC renewed the drama series in September 2023, with production planned for 2024 and a premiere on AMC+ set for early 2025. The network recently announced an exciting lineup of guest stars for Season 3, including Jenna Elfman (Fear the Walking Dead), Bruce Greenwood (The Fall of the House of Usher), Raoul Max Trujillo (Mayans M.C.), and several others.
Season 3 picks up six months after the events of Season 2. Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee are on the case again, this time investigating the disappearance of two boys, with only an abandoned bicycle and a blood-stained patch of ground as clues. Meanwhile, Bernadette Manuelito is trying to adjust to her new life 500 miles away from home with the Border Patrol, only to uncover a conspiracy involving human and drug smuggling with far-reaching consequences.
However, with the show set to premiere exclusively on AMC+ in 2025, it’s unlikely that Dark Winds Season 3 will be available on Netflix anytime soon. The current deal that brought the first two seasons to Netflix is only for one year, meaning Dark Winds is expected to leave Netflix in August 2025. Any potential deal for Season 3 would require new negotiations, and it’s too early to say if that’s in the works.
Given the show’s strong performance on Netflix, it seems logical that the streaming giant would want to bring Season 3 to its platform after the exclusive AMC+ window.
What do you think? Should Netflix secure the rights to Dark Winds Season 3 after its initial release? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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