Robert Redford's Final Gift to the Western Genre Is a Work of Genius

The Robert Redford-produced crime thriller "Dark Winds" is a stellar addition to the Western genre.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Robert Redford, a Western legend, passed away in 2025, but his legacy lives on through his final project, the mystery series "Dark Winds". The show, which he executive produced along with George R.R. Martin, follows three police officers working in the Navajo Nation in the 1970s as they solve crimes and battle supernatural forces. "Dark Winds" has received critical acclaim, with a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and is considered one of Redford's greatest contributions to the Western genre.

Why it matters

Robert Redford has a long history of adapting Tony Hillerman's "Leaphorn and Chee" novels, dating back to 1991's "The Dark Wind". However, he was never able to fully realize his vision for the series until "Dark Winds" was finally greenlit by AMC in 2021. The show's success not only cements Redford's legacy as a Western icon but also opens the door for more stories told by and about Native American people in Hollywood.

The details

"Dark Winds" is based on Hillerman's novels and follows three Navajo police officers as they solve crimes and confront supernatural forces. The show is expertly made, with stunning visuals of the Navajo Nation landscape, and features standout performances from actors like Zahn McClarnon and Kiowa Gordon. Each season presents a new mystery filled with twists and turns, making it one of the best mystery shows on television.

  • Robert Redford passed away in September 2025.
  • Redford got the screen rights to Hillerman's novels in 1988 and spent the next three years trying to fund the movie that would become 1991's "The Dark Wind".
  • From 2002 to 2004, Redford helped create three telefilms for PBS based on Hillerman's novels, but he was disappointed with the limited budgets.
  • In 2015, Redford couldn't get HBO to produce "Dark Winds", but the series was finally ordered by AMC in 2021.
  • Redford's final acting performance was a cameo in "Dark Winds" season 3, just months before his death.

The players

Robert Redford

A legendary actor, director, and producer who is known for his iconic roles in Westerns such as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "Jeremiah Johnson". Redford was a driving force behind the creation of "Dark Winds" and made a cameo appearance in the show's third season, which was his final acting role before his death in 2025.

George R.R. Martin

The author of the "Game of Thrones" book series, who served as an executive producer on "Dark Winds" alongside Redford.

Tony Hillerman

The author of the "Leaphorn and Chee" novels, which "Dark Winds" is based on. Redford had been trying to adapt Hillerman's work for the screen since the late 1980s.

Zahn McClarnon

An actor who stars in "Dark Winds" and has been praised for his performance.

Kiowa Gordon

An actor who also stars in "Dark Winds" and has been recognized for his acting talents.

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What they’re saying

“Getting an all-Native American cast financed above a certain budget was just really hard to do.”

— Robert Redford

What’s next

Dark Winds has been renewed for a fifth and final season, which is expected to air in 2027.

The takeaway

Robert Redford's passion for adapting Tony Hillerman's "Leaphorn and Chee" novels has finally come to fruition with the critical success of "Dark Winds". The show not only serves as a fitting capstone to Redford's legendary career in the Western genre but also opens the door for more diverse storytelling in Hollywood.