True Detective has built a devoted fan base over time, thanks to its standout Season 1 featuring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, as well as the more recent success of True Detective: Night Country, led by Jodie Foster and Kali Reis.
Among a crowded genre of crime dramas, True Detective stands out with its intense atmosphere, solid writing, and strong performances throughout its various seasons.
AMC’s Dark Winds has found new life on Netflix, reaching a larger audience while capturing the culture of the Navajo Nation.
Created by Graham Roland and based on the “Leaphorn & Chee” novels by Tony Hillerman, this show is a great choice for True Detective fans. While viewers wait for Season 5 of True Detective, Dark Winds, with two seasons already available and a third in the works, offers a fresh but familiar experience filled with mystery, drama, and intrigue.
‘Dark Winds’ Shares Similarities With ‘True Detective’
Set in the 1970s, Dark Winds follows three Navajo Tribal Police officers — Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon), Sergeant Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten), and Deputy Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) — as they investigate a local murder tied to a bank heist in Gallup, New Mexico.
As they dig deeper into the case, they uncover a bigger conspiracy. With producers like Robert Redford and George R. R. Martin, Dark Winds boasts a talented cast led by McClarnon, who also serves as an executive producer. The show also shines by showcasing Indigenous talent, which adds depth to its story.
While Dark Winds excels on its own, it shares many themes with True Detective, making it an appealing watch for fans of the latter. Both shows focus on “buddy cop” partnerships and use their settings to create a strong impact.
For instance, True Detective Season 1 is set in Louisiana, where the aftermath of Hurricane Rita and the political climate enhance the narrative. Similarly, the Ozarks in Season 3 and the cold Alaskan desert in Season 4 contribute to the atmosphere of those stories. In Dark Winds, the vast, open spaces of the Navajo Nation serve as the backdrop for its tale of crime and politics.
Rich Cultural Settings Add Depth to Both Shows
In True Detective: Night Country and Dark Winds, Native American history and culture are central to the stories. Both shows weave elements of mysticism, mythology, and cultural symbolism into their narratives, giving their crime dramas a touch of the supernatural.
These elements add depth to the shows, helping viewers connect to the characters’ inner struggles. For example, Jessica Matten’s character, Bernadette, in Dark Winds experiences a journey similar to Reis’ character, Navarro, in True Detective: Night Country. Both women are deeply influenced by their belief systems rooted in Native American customs.
Both shows also show larger themes like faith and the supernatural, going beyond the mysteries at hand. In True Detective, religion and differing views of God create tension.
In Dark Winds, magic, and mysticism, key elements of Native American culture, play a significant role in the unfolding of the story, adding layers to the crime and deception in the background.
Characters in ‘Dark Winds’ Will Remind You of ‘True Detective’
Like True Detective, Dark Winds blends the personal lives of its main characters with their duties as detectives. For example, in Season 1 of True Detective, McConaughey’s character, Rustin “Rust” Cohle, stands out due to his complex personality and unique worldview.
Similarly, McClarnon’s Joe Leaphorn in Dark Winds goes through an emotional journey, impacted by his personal tragedies. Both characters must confront their inner demons while solving their cases.
Leaphorn’s story in Dark Winds echoes the emotional challenges faced by characters like Rust in True Detective or Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) in Season 4.
Much like these characters, Leaphorn carries the weight of personal loss, which affects his interactions and decisions throughout the season. His journey, like those of True Detective’s leads, creates a gripping narrative as viewers witness him struggle to balance his personal pain with his professional responsibilities.
At the same time, the choices these characters make, often influenced by their personal struggles, add an extra layer of tension. In True Detective: Night Country, Danvers and Navarro must come to terms with their past decisions while investigating the murder of Annie Kowtok.
Similarly, Dark Winds and True Detective are both driven by characters on the brink of emotional collapse, making for an intense viewing experience as these flawed individuals seek justice while showing their own realities.
A Strong Focus on Characters and Performances
Both True Detective and Dark Winds are powerful crime dramas led by compelling performances. Their protagonists carry the shows, and the mysteries themselves are engaging enough to keep viewers hooked. On top of that, the shows’ use of rich, culturally significant settings allows them to rise above other detective dramas that don’t offer as much substance.
While True Detective has already cemented its place as one of the best detective series, Dark Winds has similar elements and more to offer. If you’re looking for a thrilling detective drama with suspense and depth, both seasons of Dark Winds on Netflix provide an excellent alternative while waiting for the next season of True Detective.
Dark Winds is a crime drama similar to True Detective, set in the Navajo Nation. Both shows feature complex characters, rich cultural backgrounds, and intense mysteries. With deep emotional journeys and supernatural elements, Dark Winds offers a thrilling experience for fans of True Detective, now available on Netflix with two seasons.
