Hey mystery fans get ready to head back to Navajo Nation because Dark Winds Season 3 is officially here and things are about to get even more intense. We are talking new mysteries familiar faces and a seriously intriguing new character played by the one and only Bruce Greenwood . So who's who this season? What kind of trouble are Joe Leaphorn and his team facing? Let's dive into the cast of Dark Winds Season 3 and get you prepped for all the suspense.
Bruce Greenwood Enters the Scene as Tom Spenser: Oil Tycoon or Something More Sinister?
Okay let's start with the big news Bruce Greenwood is joining the cast and he is playing a character named Tom Spenser. Spenser is no ordinary guy he is an oil tycoon. Think big ranch big money and a family with deep roots and serious influence in New Mexico. We first hear about Spenser and his massive ranch and it’s clear this guy is a power player.
But is Spenser just a rich businessman? Probably not in the world of Dark Winds. Bernadette Manuelito starts investigating Spenser and his ranch because of a drawing a little girl gave her. It looks like the logo for Spenser Ranch. Bernadette suspects a human trafficking connection and Spenser's ranch becomes ground zero for her investigation. Spenser himself comes off as super smooth and confident but there's something definitely off about him. He's got that unsettling self-assuredness that just screams "villain".
It turns out Spenser is employing Roberto C. de Baca the same guy who was involved in some seriously shady stuff last season. Plus Bernadette finds a suspicious white van on Spenser’s property the same type of van connected to her human trafficking case. Coincidence? We think not. Is Tom Spenser involved in human trafficking? All signs point to a big YES. Get ready for Greenwood to bring some serious tension and maybe even a bit of menace to Dark Winds Season 3.
Returning Favorites: Leaphorn Chee and Manuelito Back in Action But Facing New Challenges
Of course Dark Winds wouldn't be Dark Winds without our core trio Zahn McClarnon is back as the steadfast Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn leading the Navajo Tribal Police. Kiowa Gordon returns as Jim Chee now a Sergeant working side-by-side with Leaphorn. And Jessica Matten is back as Bernadette Manuelito now a Border Patrol agent but still very much in the thick of things.
This season is definitely testing Leaphorn. We see a different side of him even fear which is new for this usually unshakable character. He and Chee are investigating the disappearance of two boys a case that quickly turns dark and disturbing. Leaphorn is also dealing with visions or maybe something more sinister like a monstrous entity from Navajo folklore called Ye’iitsoh. Is it real or is it in his head? That’s part of the mystery.
Chee is wrestling with his own demons this season. His past comes back to haunt him as the investigation leads him to someone from his childhood with a troubled history. He is determined to solve the case but his personal connection might cloud his judgment. And Bernadette while miles away at the border is finding her new job is anything but simple. She stumbles onto something big a conspiracy that could put her own job and life at risk. Despite being separated for now expect Bern to be right in the thick of the action and maybe even crossing paths with Leaphorn and Chee again sooner than later.
Jenna Elfman Joins as Agent Sylvia Washington: Is She Friend or Foe to Leaphorn?
Another exciting addition to the cast this season is Jenna Elfman as FBI Special Agent Sylvia Washington. Agent Washington arrives on the reservation to supposedly "button up some cases" but her real mission seems to be digging into Joe Leaphorn and the disappearance of BJ Vines from last season. Is she there to help or hinder Leaphorn? That's the question.
Unlike some of the other outsiders who have come to Navajo Nation Agent Washington plays it cool at first. She is not openly hostile but you can tell she is suspicious of Leaphorn. Her approach seems to be to gain trust especially with those close to Joe. She even manages to get herself invited to dinner with Leaphorn’s wife Emma. Is she genuinely trying to understand what happened or is she looking for something to use against Leaphorn? We will have to wait and see but Elfman’s addition definitely adds another layer of intrigue.
Dark Winds Season 3 Cast List: Key Players to Watch
- Zahn McClarnon as Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn
- Kiowa Gordon as Sergeant Jim Chee
- Jessica Matten as Officer Bernadette Manuelito
- Bruce Greenwood as Tom Spenser
- Jenna Elfman as Special Agent Sylvia Washington
- Rainn Wilson as Devoted Dan (Returning Character)
- Deanna Allison as Emma Leaphorn (Returning Character)
- Elva Guerra as Sally Growing Thunder (Returning Character)
- A Martinez as Sheriff Gordo Sena (Returning Character)
- Terry Serpico as Ed Henry (Returning Character)
- Raoul Max Trujillo as Roberto C. de Baca
- Tonantzin Carmelo as Eleanda Garza
- Alex Meraz as Ivan Muños
Tune In and Stream: Where to Watch Dark Winds Season 3
Want to catch all the mystery and suspense of Dark Winds Season 3? Here’s how you can watch:
- Premiere Channel: AMC
- Days: Sundays
- Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
- Streaming Early: AMC+ (episodes available early)
- Live Stream Options: Philo Sling TV YouTube TV (with AMC subscription)
- AMC+ Subscription: Available for $6.99/month with ad-free option for $95.88/year (seven-day free trial available)
- AMC+ via Amazon Prime Video: Add AMC+ to your Prime Video account for $6.99/month (free trial via Amazon may be available)
- Netflix: Seasons 1 & 2 are currently available on Netflix. Season 3 likely won't be on Netflix until 2026 (speculative).
Get Ready for More Twists and Turns in Dark Winds Season 3
Dark Winds season 3 is shaping up to be the darkest and most gripping season yet. With Bruce Greenwood joining the already stellar cast and new mysteries unfolding expect to be on the edge of your seat every Sunday night. Will Leaphorn uncover the truth behind the disappearances and the monstrous Ye’iitsoh? Can Bernadette untangle the web of human trafficking and corruption at the border? And what are Agent Washington's true motives? Tune in to Dark Winds and get ready for another thrilling ride through the hauntingly beautiful and dangerous landscape of Navajo Nation.