Dark Winds Season 4 Brings Navajo Cops to LA to Investigate Missing Teen

The hit AMC series takes a bold step off the reservation as Lt. Leaphorn, Sgt. Chee and Officer Manuelito face personal and professional changes.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Season 4 of the AMC series Dark Winds opens with Lt. Joe Leaphorn at a crossroads, contemplating retirement as his wife Emma has moved to Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Bernadette Manuelito has quit the Border Patrol but is convinced by Leaphorn to rejoin the Navajo Police, where she'll have to navigate working with her on-again, off-again partner Sgt. Jim Chee. The trio is then called to investigate the disappearance of a Navajo teen named Billie Tsosie, who has run away from her Catholic boarding school and is believed to be with her criminal cousin Albert Gorman, heading to California. This season will take the Navajo police officers out of their familiar territory on the reservation and into the gritty 1970s underbelly of Los Angeles as they track down the missing girl.

Why it matters

Expanding the world of Dark Winds beyond the Navajo reservation is a bold creative choice that will test the show's ability to maintain its unique cultural identity and moral center while exploring new settings and criminal dynamics. The personal journeys of the three lead characters - Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito - also promise to be a major focus, as they each grapple with significant changes and transitions in their lives.

The details

In the season opener, Leaphorn is seen alone in the wilderness, struggling with his wife Emma's decision to move to Los Angeles. Manuelito has quit the Border Patrol but is convinced by Leaphorn to rejoin the Navajo Police, where she'll have to work alongside Chee, with whom she has a complicated relationship. When the trio gets a call about the missing teen Billie Tsosie, they learn she's likely with her criminal cousin Albert Gorman and headed to California. This sets the stage for the Navajo officers to leave the reservation and pursue the case in the gritty streets of 1970s Los Angeles.

  • The season begins '15 Hours Earlier' from the opening scene.
  • Leaphorn is seen building a fire and spending time in a sweat lodge.

The players

Lt. Joe Leaphorn

A Navajo Police lieutenant who is contemplating retirement and the departure of his wife Emma to Los Angeles.

Bernadette Manuelito

A former Border Patrol officer who is convinced by Leaphorn to rejoin the Navajo Police, where she'll have to navigate working with her on-again, off-again partner Sgt. Jim Chee.

Sgt. Jim Chee

A skilled Navajo Police investigator who tries to convince Manuelito to return to the force, while also dealing with being passed over for a promotion to lieutenant.

Billie Tsosie

A Navajo teenage girl who has run away from her Catholic boarding school and is believed to be with her criminal cousin, heading to California.

Albert Gorman

Billie Tsosie's criminal cousin, with whom she is believed to be traveling to California.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.