Dark Winds Adds Shameless Star and Rez Ball Alum for Season 5

George R.R. Martin's acclaimed neo-Western thriller continues to expand its cast.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:07pm

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George R.R. Martin's critically acclaimed neo-Western series Dark Winds has added two new recurring cast members for its upcoming fifth season. Noel Fisher, known for his role in Shameless, will play a dangerous killer with a twisted sense of righteousness. Devin Sampson-Craig, a Rez Ball star, will portray a conflicted ranch hand whose time in Vietnam has set him on the wrong path. The series, based on the Leaphorn & Chee book series by Tony Hillerman, follows Lt. Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo Tribal Police as he investigates a series of seemingly unrelated crimes.

Why it matters

Dark Winds has become one of the most acclaimed Westerns on television, boasting a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating across its first four seasons. The addition of these new cast members signals the show's continued commitment to expanding its narrative and exploring the complex lives of its Navajo characters.

The details

Noel Fisher, known for his role as Mickey Milkovich in Shameless, will play the recurring character of Michael Jorie, a dangerous killer with a warped sense of righteousness and piety that fuels his involvement in a southwestern gang with a long history of violence. Devin Sampson-Craig, a Rez Ball star, will portray Daniel Ironwater, Jr., a skilled ranch hand whose time in Vietnam has left him conflicted and heading down the wrong path. Additionally, Martin Sensmeir from Yellowstone will play a former Vietnam veteran turned racetrack worker with a history with Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon).

  • Dark Winds Season 4 is currently airing on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT and concludes on April 5, 2026.
  • Dark Winds was renewed for an eight-episode fifth season in February 2026 and is currently in production in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The players

George R.R. Martin

An acclaimed author and executive producer of Dark Winds, known for his fantasy adaptations including Game of Thrones and its spin-offs.

Noel Fisher

An actor known for his role as Mickey Milkovich in the Showtime series Shameless, who has been cast in a recurring role for Dark Winds Season 5.

Devin Sampson-Craig

A Rez Ball star who has been cast in a recurring role for Dark Winds Season 5, playing a conflicted ranch hand.

Martin Sensmeir

An actor from Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone, who has been cast in a recurring role for Dark Winds Season 5, playing a former Vietnam veteran turned racetrack worker.

Lt. Joe Leaphorn

The lead character of Dark Winds, a Navajo Tribal Police officer investigating a series of seemingly unrelated crimes.

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What’s next

Dark Winds Season 4 is set to conclude on April 5, 2026, and the fifth season is currently in production in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The takeaway

Dark Winds has become one of the most critically acclaimed Westerns on television, and the addition of new cast members for Season 5 signals the show's continued commitment to expanding its narrative and exploring the complex lives of its Navajo characters.