7 Shows you must watch if you loved Dark Winds

If you were drawn in by the atmospheric narrative, cultural depth, and psychological complexity of Dark Winds, then you're not alone. The AMC neo-noir thriller, adapted from Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn & Chee novels, created a distinctive niche in the crime drama. Based in the 1970s American Southwest and deeply infused with Navajo culture, the series was differentiated by its foreboding mood, complex characters, and deliberative examination of identity, justice, and faith systems. It wasn't an ordinary mystery series. It was an agonizing tour through moral zones of ambiguity and spiritual terrain normally not encountered on commercial television.

But now that you've gorged on both seasons, what's next? Happily, other TV shows strike a similar chord in terms of storytelling. From crime procedurals and psychological thrillers to rich cultural dramas and visually stunning Westerns, these series provide something new but similar. Whether it's indigenous programming, moral ambiguity, or the windy, dust-swept landscapes you enjoyed in Dark Winds, the shows below will have you on the edge of your seat.

The following are seven must-view series that channel the intensity, vigor, and creativity of Dark Winds, each taking its own stand on justice, identity, and the obscured tales hidden just below the surface.

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Shows you must watch if you loved Dark Winds

1. Longmire

Before Dark Winds, Longmire was low-key pioneering the contemporary Western crime genre. Housed in Wyoming, the show explores Sheriff Walt Longmire's work while coping with tragedy and tribal stress. What earns it a watching-now recommendation is its surprising new popularity on platforms like Netflix, as a new batch of fans for whom cultural richness and richly developed characters hold value. Its dignified treatment of Cheyenne customs and nuanced Native-American characters resonates from the tone of Dark Winds. With suspense, social commentary, and frontier justice in a mix, Longmire demonstrates that crime tales can be both personal and epic.

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2. True Detective (Season 1 & 3)

True Detective's anthology structure makes Seasons 1 and 3 particularly binge-worthy for Dark Winds viewers. Season 1, featuring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, is a metaphysical thriller about evil, filmed against the unsettling landscapes of Louisiana. But Season 3, with Mahershala Ali, is the real treasure here. It's a three-decade-spanning investigation into memory, trauma, and racial identity. Its non-linear narrative and moody rhythm mirror Dark Winds' psychological tension. HBO just announced talks for another spiritually charged season. So, now is the ideal time to revisit or discover this complex series. It's not a whodunit, it's an exploration of time, loss, and ethics.

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3. Reservation Dogs

Created together by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, Reservation Dogs is an innovative series that's both side-splitting and tear-jerking. Unlike the crime-infused storyline of Dark Winds, this one is centered on indigenous adolescents living in Oklahoma's rural lands. Yet, what unites both programs is authenticity. Reservation Dogs has an all-indigenous writers room, directors, and cast. Its latest season, which dropped recently, ended with emotional specificity and narrative maturity. The series balances comedy with grief, community, and survival themes, presenting a close-up of Native identity. While Dark Winds may have brought you into the world of indigenous storytelling, Reservation Dogs pulls you in deeper with fearless creativity and authenticity.

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4. The Killing

Gloomy, introspective, and emotionally merciless, The Killing is a slow-burning crime series that strips away the layers of sorrow and fixation with each installment. Adapted from a Danish series, its Seattle backdrop reflects the psychological haze of its detectives, particularly Sarah Linden, whose intensity is matched by Dark Winds' Joe Leaphorn. The series recently picked up renewed popularity after being included in Netflix's best crime dramas, demonstrating its lasting influence. Unlike most procedural series, The Killing explores the emotional consequences of crime on all parties. If you enjoyed Dark Winds' atmospheric introspection, this show will definitely engage you.

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5. Yellowstone

Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone has evolved into a contemporary epic, mixing the rawness of frontier justice with family power dynamics. Dark Winds centers more on law and culture in the Navajo Nation, whereas Yellowstone delves into the intricacies of land ownership, indigenous rights, and legacy through the Dutton family. Its latest Season 5 Part 1 brought new attention to its indigenous characters, especially Chief Rainwater, eliciting praise for more in-depth representation. With several spin-offs and a cinematic aesthetic, the series echoes Dark Winds in its atmospheric tension and moral complexity. It's not simply cowboys and drama, it's a struggle for identity, survival, and justice.

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6. Godless

If Dark Winds captured you with its otherworldly landscapes and stoic characters, Godless will indulge that same desire. This Netflix limited series boasts a women-governed mining town following a tragic incident, and an outlaw who yearns to find redemption. The show is set in 1880s New Mexico and has strong Native American themes and plenty of period detail. What makes Godless stand out is its capacity to balance feminist stories, indigenous voices, and hard-hitting Western action. Only seven episodes long, it's a visual and emotional victory, a hidden gem worth finding after Dark Winds.

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7. Tin Star

Tin Star combines psychological tension with the noir Western theme that Dark Winds fans will find familiar. It stars Tim Roth as a British ex-detective turned Canadian sheriff in an isolated town battered by corruption and lies. Its fresh take rests on its uncensored depiction of trauma, identity, and justice. The last season, distributed as Tin Star: Liverpool, goes back to the main character's beginnings for a haunting finale. With graphic violence, a multi-faceted anti-hero, and emotional complexity, Tin Star provides an international spin on small-town crime drama. It's surprising, atmospheric, and engrossing to the last.

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If Dark Winds left you hungry for more of that rich mix of suspense, cultural richness, and eerie landscapes, these seven shows are the ideal next step. Each series takes a piece of what made Dark Winds great, whether atmospheric tension, layered storytelling, or authentic voices missing from mainstream stories. From western grit to psychological disintegration, these selections offer not only entertainment but a richer, more contemplative viewing experience. So, whether you're in the mood for mystery, drama, or something quietly profound, these shows will keep your mind working and your heart engaged long after the credits roll.