AMC's 'Dark Winds' filming its sophomore season in northern New Mexico

Dec. 29—The "Dark Winds" are in full force.

The New Mexico Film Office says the AMC series is in production on its second season in Santa Fe and Tesuque Pueblo.

AMC renewed the series in June while it was still airing its first season.

Its home base is at Camel Rock Studios in Pojoaque.

Set in 1971 on a remote outpost of the Navajo Nation near Monument Valley, Utah, "Dark Winds" follows Lt. Joe Leaphorn of the Tribal Police as he is besieged by a series of seemingly unrelated crimes.

The closer he digs to the truth, the more he exposes the wounds of his past.

He is joined on this journey by his new deputy, Jim Chee.

Chee, too, has old scores to settle from his youth on the reservation.

Together, the two men battle the forces of evil, each other and their own personal demons on the path to salvation.

Zahn McClarnon and Kiowa Gordon bring Leaphorn and Chee to life in the series, alongside Jessica Matten, who brings Bernadette Manuelito to the screen and Noah Emmerich as FBI Special Agent Whitover, Deanna Allison as Joe's wife Emma Leaphorn, and features Rainn Wilson as Devoted Dan, a full-of-faith car salesman.

Gordon is back on set with the rest of the cast and he looks back on season one with astonishment.

"I love that they converted the old casino into a studio and built up the sets in there," Gordon says. "To be in one spot doing all this crazy stuff was amazing."

Gordon is also humbled by the praise the show has received.

"I hoped that the fans of the novels will be happy," he says. "There are new takes on everything. It's awesome to have that."

According to the New Mexico Film Office, principal photography began in November and will continue through mid-2023.

The series is directed by Chris Eyre and produced by Robert Redford, George R.R. Martin and Vince Calandra.

The New Mexico Film Office says the production will employ 200 New Mexico crew members, 90 background/extras, and 60 New Mexico principal actors.

SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART.

Now streaming

The first season of "Dark Winds" is currently streaming on AMC+.