Dark Windsisone ofthe best shows on TV right now. Season 4 is currently in production, and the series offers a refreshing and innovative look at police work and the customs and traditions of the Navajo people (Diné originally).Dark Windswas based onTony Hillerman’s novel seriesLeaphorn & Chee, whereJoe Leaphorn and Jim Chee are the protagonists and Navajo Tribal Police officers.
Leaphorn is portrayed byZahn McClarnon, an acting force whose career has been silently but steadily moving up, while Chee is portrayed by the fresh but experiencedKiowa Gordon. Leaphorn is the lieutenant, his deputy is Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten), andChee is a newcomer(in the show).Dark Windsfollowsspecific cases in each season while depictingDiné culture and tradition. Some series have a similar vibe, whether because of their setting, psychological thriller vibes, or some of its cast members, so here are thrilling crime shows to watch if you loveDark Winds.
The Red RoadstarsJason MomoaandMartin Henderson, but fans ofDark Windswill also see Gordon and McClarnon in supporting roles. The show was canceled after two seasons, but received favorable reviews during its runtime, withpraise going to its chilling and tense atmosphere and good performancesall around.The Red Roadfeatures the Ramapough Lenape Nation, and highlights the tensions between them and white residents of the area, focusing on Phillip Kopus (Momoa) and officer Harold Jensen (Henderson).
The Red Roadshows Jensen and his wife Jean (Julianne Nicholson), and their strained marriage due to Jean’s alcoholism. Harold and Jean’s daughter Rachel is dating Kopus' half-brother, Junior (Gordon), and whenJean suspects Kopus had something to do with Rachel leaving home, she has a fit of rage and commits a crime. Harold has to balance Jean’s anger and the obligations of his job while keeping an eye on Kopus, Junior, and Rachel. It’s not as complex as it seems, and it’s quite dark and tense;The Red Roadwarrants a second look while you wait for the new season ofDark Winds.
9’Smoke' (2025–)
The most recent crime thriller starringTaron EgertononApple TV+isSmoke, a gritty, atmospheric show inspired by a real-life arsonist, John Leonard Orr.Dennis Lehaneand Egerton previously worked together with Apple TV+ onBlack Bird, and thoughSmokemay not feel the same, it sure does strike a chord with fans of dark thrillers.Egerton andJurnee Smollettlead the way in this fun detective series, where Egerton boasts great leading man chops—though it’s something we’ve seen him do many times before. He’s just showing off at this point. Jokes aside, he’s often the best part of the series, which is getting some good attention right now.
Smokeis aboutarson investigator and former firefighter Dave Gudsen (Egerton), who joins forces with the fearless detective Michelle Calderone (Smolett)in catching a serial arsonist on the loose. The show also follows the relationship Dave and Michelle have, and how that impacts their investigation and vice versa.Smokewas inspired by Orr, but it was almost directly based on the podcast calledFirebug, which explores Orr’s crimes.Dark, tense, and moody,Smokeis a great new watchto focus on in case you’re missingDark Winds.
8’The Sinner' (2017–2021)
What was initially meant to be a miniseries,The Sinnerturned into an interesting and riveting anthology series that aired for four seasons on the USA Network.Bill Pullmanstars asthe lead investigator with unusual methods and approaches, though the criminals he investigates are usually unlikely and surprising, so his methods sort of check out.The Sinneris one of those unpredictable shows you may’t seem to take your eyes off, and vibes similarly toDark Windsbecause of its haunting atmosphere.
The SinnerfollowsDetective Harry Ambrose investigating different sinister cases across four seasons. In the first season, he works on the case of Cora Tannetti (Jessica Biel); in Season 2, he returns to his hometown to solve a local crime; in Season 3, he stumbles upon a seemingly unrelated hit-and-run that uncovers a greater conspiracy; and in the final season, he recovers from his last case but still investigates a tragedy in Maine. InDark Winds,each season has a new storyline, too, but the characters carry historywith them, soThe Sinnerfeels like a great continuation.
7’Under the Banner of Heaven' (2022)
ThoughAndrew Garfieldis a powerful actor and has an array of difficult roles on his roster,Under the Banner of Heavenmight just be hismagnum opus. This dark, twisted, and tragic story was based on the novel of the same name byJohn Krakauer.Krakauer based the novel on a real-life crime that took place in 1984, when brothersRon and Dan Lafferty killed their sister-in-lawand her little daughter. Though the show deviates from the book a lot,according to many sources, it still managed to gain attention for great performances and haunting visual style and direction.
Under the Banner of Heavenfollows LDS Church member and Utah Detective Jeb Pyre (Garfield), who is assigned to the murder case of a young LDS Church member, Brenda Lafferty (Daisy Edgar-Jones), and her baby daughter, Erica. Pyre works the case with his partner, Detective Bill Taba (Gil Birmingham), butexperiences deep personal reflection on his faiththat Taba can’t really understand. Torn between his beliefs and the facts of his case, Pyre wishes to bring truth and justice, but is frequently hindered by those in his personal life. It’s a great and powerful miniseries, and you may take it with some reservations if you prefer facts to fiction.
6’The Outsider' (2020)
Another miniseries on the roster, but this time,The Outsideris pure fiction hailing from the pen and mind of the master of horror himself,Stephen King.The Outsiderwill scratch a similar itch thatDark Windsdoes,introducing a murder mystery, some folklore, mysticism, darkness and tension. Beautifully shot and written,The Outsideris one of the best miniseries of the past five to ten years, and one ofKing’s favorite adaptations of his own work. If that’s not a seal of approval, not sure what is.
The Outsideris set in a small Georgian town, wherethe gruesome and odd death of a young boy shakes the community. The primary suspect becomes the Little League soccer coach, Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman), but the lead detective, Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn), though enraged at first, later sees that something doesn’t add up. Anderson enlists the help of a private detective and savant,Holly Gibney (Cynthia Erivo), to help him solve the case. The mystery is intense and combines folk tales with modern crime, causing chills and having plenty of spine-tingling moments.
5’Sharp Objects' (2018)
Sharp Objectsmight feel a little different fromDark Winds, but the two shows share a sort of atmospheric and tense vibe where everything feels a bit off.Dark Windsespecially embraces this in Season 3, where lots of itsmysticism and folklore are explored; the show verges on horror in some episodes and scenes, and makes for aninteresting visual exploration of both police work and personal trauma.Sharp Objectsdoes the same, feeling feverish and sometimes confusing to emulate the emotions of Camille Preaker (Amy Adams), its protagonist.
InSharp Objects,Camille is a journalist who returns to her family amid a murder investigationand begins to experience trauma and resurfacing suppressed memories and emotions. Her mother, Adora (Patricia Clarkson), is especially strange and watchful, while her half-sister Amma (Eliza Scanlen) displays unusual behavior. It’s not too much of a police show, but it’sa psychological crime thrillerthat will have your jaw dropping to the flooras soon as you’ve seen the whole thing.Sharp Objectswasbased on Gillian Flynn’s bookof the same name.
4’Longmire' (2012–2017)
Longmireis similar toDark Winds, not only because McClarnon is one of the main cast members. It’s aneo-Western crime dramaset in Wyoming, and follows the adventures of a sheriff and his crew, solving crimes and catching criminals while looking cool. The show is anA&Eoriginal, and it’s the network’s highest-rated drama; after they droppedLongmirefour seasons in, Netflix decided to pick it back up, giving it two more seasons and a decent conclusion.
Longmirewas based on the series of novels titledWalt Longmire MysteriesbyCraig Johnson. It follows Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor), the sheriff of the fictional Wyoming County called Absaroka, and his best friend and frequent helper, Henry Standing Bear (Lou Diamond Phillips), who deals with the tribal police. They solve crimes and mysteries, and are often joined by the fearless deputyVic Morretti (Katee Sackhoff).McClarnon plays a tribal police officer here, too—Mathias, the Cheyenne Reservation police chief. It may not be as dark and atmospheric asDark Winds, butLongmirestill delivers those neo-Western vibes well.
3’True Detective' (2014–)
Many people sayDark Windsis the best replacementforTrue Detective, and in this case, we can say the same thing in reverse. If you loveDark Winds,True Detectiveis the likeliest new series to watch, though it’s not really new. This anthology series has four seasons so far, andeach is a standalone story set in obscure and sometimes desolate areas of America. It’s reminiscent of the vast desert vibes inDark Winds, exceptTrue Detectiveis sometimes a Southern gothic and sometimes likeNordic noir.
True Detective,in its first season, follows two Louisiana detectives working on a case that uncovers a deeper conspiracy; in Season 2, the theme is similar, as two detectives in a small industrial Californian town uncover political schemes; in Season 3, an aging detective reminisces on a case he worked on in the Ozarks while dealing with memory issues; and in Season 4, two female detectives in an Alaskan town solve the mysterious disappearance of a research station crew. There’s a bit of mysticism in parts, too;a lot of the show is dark, sometimes ominous, and often quite intense.
2’Fargo' (2014–2024)
Fargois anotheranthology series in the mix, and it’s a brilliant crime series that combines dark humor with action, drama, and thriller.McClarnon also stars in one of the seasons, and it’s one of his most captivating television roles—he portrays the hitman Hanzee Dent, who works for the Gerhardt crime family in Season 2. Dent is a mysterious man whose origins are unknown, except that he was taken in by the Gerhardts. Much like aCoen brothers' movie villain, he doesn’t say much, moves with clear intention and intensity, and stops at nothing to achieve his goal. McClarnon’s Dent was considered “the most compelling character on the show.”
Fargohas five seasons, and all are different, standalone stories. Season 1 and Season 5 mirror the Coen brothers' famous movie of the same name, with some of the same characters, settings, and even play-by-play sequences.Seasons 2, 3, and 4 have some connection to the lore, but are mostly about separate crime stories, each with an incredible cast and exceptional writing byNoah Hawley. Chances are, you’ve watchedDark Windsif you watchedFargo; if not,Fargoshould be your next watch, for sure.
1’Justified' (2010–2015)
A network show that garnered a massive following and fanbase is definitelyJustified, which is still quite relevant and frequently recommended.This neo-Western is the perfect contentfor fans ofDark Windsbecauseit’ll keep you lulled by those Western vibes while still following modern charactersand events.Timothy Olyphantportrays the laidback, just, and cowboyishU.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, who finds the methods he works with and catches criminals “justified.”
Justifiedfollows Givens after he kills a man in cold blood in the middle of Miami. He’s transferred back to his hometown in Kentucky, where he starts working on local cases and sees some old faces.There are recurring storylines there, too, but each episode is a standalone criminal caseforGivens and his teamto solve.Justifiedis fun and the embodiment of the fun and joy of network television. The show was based onElmore Leonard’s short stories where Raylan Givens is the protagonist, and Leonard himself said he loved the adaptation, and Olyphant’s performance.
