Crime thriller from Prison Break and Lost writer is 'most underrated show on TV'

A gripping crime thriller created by one of the writers of Lost and Prison Break has been described as the 'most underrated show on TV' right now.

Dark Winds first hit our screens back in 2022, with its third season currently airing on AMC and the finale due to be broadcast in the US next week. The network has already confirmed that it's been renewed for a fourth season, set to be released sometime next year.

However, UK based viewers still have some time to wait until the third instalment is made available. The first two seasons are however available now on U&Alibi and streaming on NOW so, there's no better time to get up to speed with the series so far.

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Set in 1971 on a remote outpost of the Navajo Nation near Monument Valley, Dark Winds follows Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Tribal Police as he grapples with a series of seemingly unrelated crimes. The deeper he delves into the truth, the more he uncovers the scars of his past.

He's joined on this journey by his new deputy, Jim Chee. Chee also has old scores to settle from his youth on the reservation, reports . Together, they confront the forces of evil, each other, and their own personal demons on the path to redemption.

The show is based on the renowned Leaphorn and Chee series of crime novels, penned by Tony Hillerman. Hillerman wrote 18 of these books between 1970 and 2006. Following Hillerman's death, his daughter Anne took over writing the series, with the most recent instalment published in 2024.

Hollywood legend Robert Redford and Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin are credited as executive producers on the show. They even made a surprise cameo together in a recent episode, complete with a cheeky nod to the wait for Martin's latest book.

Each season of the series draws inspiration from one or two of the original books for its plot and characters. The title of the adaptation itself is borrowed from the fifth publication.

The TV adaptation was brought to life by Graham Roland, who has a track record of writing for hit shows such as Lost, Prison Break and Fringe. He's also the brains behind the Tom Clancy inspired series Jack Ryan, which stars John Krasinski.

Remarkably, every season of Dark Winds has bagged a flawless 100% score on review site Rotten Tomatoes. Critics showered praise on the show at its launch, not only for shining a light on aspects of Navajo culture often overlooked by American television, but also for crafting a crime drama that viewers simply couldn't resist binge-watching.

One reviewer enthused: " Dark Winds may seem similar to other detective shows but it's more than that. With well-written and sharply defined characters, plus an invigorating and tightly wound story, it'll be hard to wait a week for each episode to drop."

Another critic, reviewing the first season for The Guardian, declared it 'begs to be binged'. They added: "It is a knotty, atmospheric mystery that still feels fleet enough to be tackled in one or two binges."

The show is frequently recommended to fans of Yellowstone spin-off 1883 and recent series American Primeval. More than one thread seeking recommendations for what to watch after these shows also mentions Dark Winds. Screen Rant has boldly claimed that it's the perfect substitute for True Detective, drawing parallels between the recent series of the anthology show and its use of Native American mythology.

Viewers who've already binged the series are left scratching their heads as to why Dark Winds isn't getting more buzz or recognition during awards season.

One baffled viewer questioned: "I do not understand why people are not talking about the show or why it did not receive any awards and nominations. It's magnificent. The plot is really good, the pace is great and the acting of the main characters excellent."

Another fan took to social media to declare: "Dark Winds is the most underrated show on TV. Old time police show with all native actors."

While another simply exclaimed: "May I ask why are we all sleeping on Dark Winds! ? I'm on episode 4 of season 1 now....like holy s****. This is premium murder mystery neo western television. Zahn McClarnon is incredible."

Dark Winds seasons one and two is streaming on U&Alibi and NOW.