AMC: Dark Winds more then doubles its viewership from season 1

Dark Winds has been one of AMC’s current best hits since it first aired in June of 2022. Based on the Tony Hillerman novels of Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee Navajo Tribal Police series. Between the amazing casting of talented actors and the incredible setting of New Mexico, Dark Winds has captured the audience from the start of this sensational crime drama led by Zahn McClarnon and Kiowa Gordon.

The first two episodes of Dark Winds have more than doubled its viewership from season 1 to season 2 by 146% from the first seasons opening two episodes. Viewership data was reported by Variety from AMC Networks. The numbers were not specified from AMC Network but it was also revealed the numbers for AMC Plus subscribers watching Dark Winds have also spiked since the opening season.

The fourth episode of the season for “The March” just aired on Sunday night but for the first two episodes of Dark Winds season 2, the numbers have been climbing since its debut in July. The first episode “Na’niłkaadii” averaged 1.3 million viewers. The second episode “Wonders of the Unknown” averaged a total of 1.6 million viewers. “Antigonish” brought an average viewership of 1.8 million according to Nielsen ratings.

As of to date, Dark Winds could hit over 2 million very soon in linear viewership. That is great news for AMC Plus because subscribers numbers have gone down since the last quarter from 11.5 to 11 million subscribers.

Dark Winds is a program that deserves more credit and promotion than it gets. You have the picturesque beauty of New Mexico and its surrounding areas. That alone is worth watching the program. Add on the suspenseful thrill of a crime drama and learning about a group of heroes living on the right side of the law who fight hard to keep the Navajo Nation safe. There is a chase in every episode of this mystery drama that always keeps the audience on their toes.

Tony Hillerman has written over 30 books. 18 of them have been based on Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. You have to imagine that this is only the start of something big. Dark Winds has the potential to last many seasons. But the most exciting thing about the show is what exactly it represents. A crime drama is cool alone but the audience gets the opportunity to learn about the Diné culture and day-to-day life that happens in the Navajo Nation. A glimpse at how Native American women are treated and how they are seen by the outside world. There is so much strength in who they are and how they carry themselves.

Another enormous thing that is represented is the Native American influence in the cast and crew of the series. 95% of the Dark Winds cast are Native Americans. It is unique in television today to have that much of a native presence. It is also a series that is made by Native American writers. Dark Winds is directed by Chris Eyre a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. He has also directed Things We Do and Smoke Signals.

Dark Winds currently has two more episodes to go for season 2. The fifth episode will air this coming Sunday at 9 PM ET on AMC or catch it a little early if you are an AMC Plus subscriber!