AMC's critically acclaimed neo-Western series, Dark Winds, has received an early renewal for a fifth season, preceding the highly anticipated premiere of its fourth season. This news brings excitement to fans eager to follow the continuing journeys of Lt. Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon), Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), and Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten), who are set to navigate significant changes in the upcoming season.

Showrunner and executive producer John Wirth shed light on the series' future, including the strategic decision to temporarily relocate the team from the familiar Navajo Nation to Los Angeles. After being separated for two seasons, the reunion of Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito in Season 4 marks a pivotal shift in their dynamic. Wirth explained that Leaphorn's contemplations on retirement and succession, particularly regarding Chee and Manuelito who hold the same rank, serve as a rich source of drama. This sets up complex interpersonal relationships among the three, creating a "juicy way to get into the inner workings of their relationship."

The move to Los Angeles, a temporary departure from their native environment, is integral to the season's narrative. Wirth emphasized the deep connection Navajo people have to their land, describing it as an almost "electrical" bond to the natural world. While characters like Chee have prior experience in cities, transplanting these deeply connected individuals into an unfamiliar urban setting like Los Angeles – a world they are not comfortable in – inherently adds layers of danger, mistrust, and dramatic tension. This narrative choice was inspired by Tony Hillerman's novel, "The Ghostway," which features the characters going to California. Wirth aimed to surprise the audience and then return the characters to their beloved landscape, recognizing the unique sense of belonging the Navajo Nation offers them.

A significant threat in Season 4 comes in the form of Irene Vaggan, portrayed by Franka Potente. Wirth describes Vaggan as a sociopath and psychopath, a "demented" character who stands apart from past antagonists like Nicholas Logan's Colton Wolf. Originally a male character in the novel, Vaggan was re-envisioned as a woman to provide a distinct antagonist. Her elaborate backstory involves being raised in Germany during World War II, with a father and grandfather who were Nazis. This upbringing, coupled with her fascination with Karl May's fantasy novels about the American Southwest and Native American warriors, shaped her unique perspective. Having emigrated to South America and then California, she eventually finds herself on the reservation while working for urban gang leader Dominic McNair (Titus Welliver). There, she lays eyes on Joe Leaphorn, whom she perceives as the living embodiment of her childhood fantasies, leading to a kooky and intense obsession.

Wirth also elaborated on the intricate process of adapting Tony Hillerman's novels for the screen. The novels present unique challenges, partly due to Hillerman's initial loss of rights to the Joe Leaphorn character, leading him to create Jim Chee, before eventually regaining Leaphorn's rights. This history resulted in some early books being purely Jim Chee novels, with Leaphorn later integrated. The TV show's narrative, while connected to the books, is not a mirror image; it involves significant invention to fit the stories. For instance, "The Ghostway" was chosen for its Los Angeles setting despite Leaphorn having a minor role in the original novel. Similarly, Season 2 adapted "People of Darkness" where Leaphorn was absent, and Season 3 blended elements from two novels, "Dance Hall of the Dead" and "The Sinister Pig," to accommodate plot points like Bernadette's departure. The selection process for future seasons, including Season 5, involves a "feel thing" and collaborative discussions, with lead actor Zahn McClarnon playing an influential role in ensuring the chosen novel aligns with his character's portrayal.