Dark Winds Stars Discuss Season 3, Authenticity, and Native Representation

The Sacredness of Navajo Country

• 🌍 The land in Navajo country is described as sacred and fundamental to Native American culture, adding a significant element to the show's setting.
• 🎬 Actors like Zahn McClarnon find that being immersed in these natural elements helps them form their characters more effectively than a studio setting.
• 🏞️ Kiowa Gordon highlights the importance of experiencing the real environment, such as the heat of the sun, rather than relying on green screens.

Native Talent and Collaboration

• 🤝 The cast members, including Zahn McClarnon, Jessica Matten, and Kiowa Gordon, have a history of working together and maintaining strong connections within the Native American acting community.
• ☕ This community fosters a sense of kinship, where actors can easily reach out to each other for support when in new cities or countries.
• 🌟 Their friendship, initially formed on a previous TV show, has grown into a sibling-like bond.

Character Evolution and Themes

• 🧠 Kiowa Gordon explains that his character, Jim Chee, initially believed in assimilation as a way to overcome pain and generational trauma.
• 🔄 Season 2 marked a departure for Chee as he became a PI, seeking to reconnect with the Navajo community, and Season 3 sees him return to the Navajo Tribal Police (NTP) with Leaphorn, finding a sense of belonging.
• ⛰️ Chee is now forced to confront his past demons head-on, representing a significant character jump.
• 👩‍✈️ Jessica Matten discusses Bernadette's strengths as a resilient and strong Navajo woman in a historically male-dominated role, while her weaknesses are explored as she steps out of her element into a new job in a different jurisdiction.

Authenticity in Storytelling

• 📜 The show builds on Tony Hillerman's quest for authenticity by employing cultural consultants and ensuring a significant portion of the writing room is Native American, including Navajo writers.
• 🎬 This commitment extends to all aspects of production, from scriptwriting to props and wardrobe, aiming for accurate and respectful representation of Navajo people and culture.
• 🌟 The show is proud to employ more Native talent both behind and in front of the camera, a practice also seen in shows like "Reservation Dogs" and "Rutherford Falls."

Actor Motivations and Future Directing

• 🌟 Zahn McClarnon found it easy to sign on due to the involvement of executive producers George R. R. Martin and Robert Redford, and a long-time friend, producer-director Chris Eyre.
• 👨‍👦 The dynamic between Leaphorn and Chee evolves into a father-son-like relationship, with Leaphorn relying on Chee as his right hand.
• 🎯 For fans, Kiowa Gordon suggests paying attention to a picture of his character as a child beating Olympian Billy Mills in a track meet, and Zahn McClarnon advises watching for Leaphorn's moral gray areas this season.
• 🎬 Zahn McClarnon will be directing for the first time in his career for Season 4, expressing both fear and excitement about the opportunity.