Robert Redford’s final role came in the AMC series Dark Winds, which features Zahn McClarnon and is now in its fourth season airing Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC and AMC+. The crime drama, set in the 1970s, follows the Navajo Tribal Police as they investigate mysteries on their reservation, blending suspense with cultural depth. The series has already been renewed for a fifth season, continuing the story with stars including Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, and Deanna Allison. The focus on Redford’s final role highlights his contributions to a show rooted in Native American narratives, which held deep significance for everyone involved.
The Impact of Redford’s Presence On and Off Set
Redford, who passed away at 89 in September last year, served as an executive producer on Dark Winds, sharing the role with notable figures like George R.R. Martin. Their presence extended beyond production, as both appeared in a memorable cameo during Season 3, portraying men playing chess in a jail cell alongside McClarnon. This scene captured the blend of legacy and storytelling that characterized Redford’s involvement.
Zahn McClarnon described the profound effect of working with Redford:
“When he looked at me, I couldn’t believe I was sitting there doing dialogue with somebody like Robert Redford; somebody I looked up to so much,”
he said, adding,
“I’ve seen just about every film he’s ever done and used to idolize him as a kid. I had to pinch myself. I’m literally there doing dialogue with my hero!”
McClarnon, an actor of Native American heritage, revealed that although Redford experienced difficulties walking in his final days, his mental sharpness remained intact.
Image of: Robert Redford
“Bob was completely all there, mentally,”
McClarnon shared. Despite his physical struggles,
“he was smiling and having fun with the cast and the crew,”
ensuring that his spirit remained a positive force on set.
Redford was deeply engaged with the production, frequently visiting the set and creating a lighthearted environment. McClarnon recalled,
“He visited the set quite often. He was very lighthearted, and always laughing and joking. Everybody loved being around Bob. We just loved it when he came up to the set to hang out.”
Championing Native Stories and Independent Film
The actor credited Redford as an essential figure in supporting Native American storytelling and independent cinema as a whole.
“He was an icon for Native storytelling, and for the whole business, in general,”
McClarnon said, emphasizing Redford’s dedication to elevating indigenous voices in Hollywood. The Dark Winds series itself is based on the Leaphorn & Chee novels by Tony Hillerman, spanning eighteen books published between 1970 and 2006.
Redford had held the rights to Hillerman’s stories for three decades before the show found a home at AMC. McClarnon reflected,
“We luckily found a home at AMC. I’m so glad that Bob became part of my life.”
Honoring Redford Through a Memorial and Continued Legacy
Season 4 marks the first season of Dark Winds without Redford’s presence. Filmed in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Redford resided, the production plans to pay tribute to him. McClarnon explained,
“Within the community outside of [the show] he was such a huge icon, and he lived down there. There’s a lot of people that were sad and mourned. I’m not quite sure what we’re doing as a production this season, but we are definitely doing something.”
Besides his acting contributions, Season 4 saw McClarnon take on his first role as a director, inspired in part by Redford’s immense talent and meaningful influence. He praised Redford as a figure who,
“just championed independent film and indigenous stories.”
Reflecting on their collaboration, McClarnon shared,
“Definitely one of the highlights of my life was being in a scene with Bob. He was an American icon, and his work is going to live on forever.”
Dark Winds Continues to Air and Grow
Dark Winds currently airs on AMC and AMC+ every Sunday at 9 p.m., continuing its portrayal of complex, culturally rich stories from the Navajo Nation. The show’s renewal for a fifth season promises further exploration of the characters and mysteries that defined Robert Redford’s final role. His legacy as both a performer and advocate for indigenous storytelling remains a lasting influence on the series and its audience.
