AMC’s hit show Dark Winds , tops the headlines yet again with its tough topics and spreading awareness. The star of the series Zahn McClarnon (Into The West, Doctor Sleep),  spoke in an exclusive Hollywood Reporter  article earlier today about the latest episode’s themes. Spoiler warning for episode six below.

In the latest episode, Beesh Lii, the series delves into heavier themes, particularly surrounding sexual abuse from McClarnon’s character’s past. Leaphorn faces these challenges as viewers watch him sort through the trauma and cope. The series is known for its heavy topics such as sexual abuse and an ending to a messy marriage. McClarnon’s character faces these challenges as viewers watch him sort through the trauma and cope. On top of the personal issues, Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn also faces a murder his father committed due to the abuse his cousin experienced in childhood. The show plays with morals as viewers debate whether justice was served correctly. Erica Tremblay (Fancy Dance, Reservation Dogs), Director of the episode shared her thoughts with The Hollywood Reporter in the same article. 

“The gap between institutional justice and true justice, and the price paid for both, It is a story about the monsters we face, both literal and figurative, and how the strength to face them often comes from the stories our ancestors left us” 

McClarnon touches more on his character and the issues he faces with The Hollywood Reporter. “He has a chance to lose everything: his wife, his family, his job, his freedom. How can the stakes be any higher than that?” Following up with the difficulties of the topics when it came to acting for his character he shared “I had a lot of stuff to tap into”. 

Dark Winds follows the main characters Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, played by McClarnon and Deputy Jim Chee, played by Kiowa Gordon (The Red Road, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn) who investigate vicious crimes that lead them down a path of discovering the crimes involve more than just human capability. The detectives discover their town is a little more supernatural than expected. While facing challenges within the workplace, both characters find some personal challenges within the series as well. 

Season three premiered in March. To catch up on the series ahead of the April 27th finale, stream it exclusively on AMC+.