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# Is Dark Winds a Spin-Off of Longmire? There's a Reason You Think So
- URL: https://www.bensmovieguide.com/is-dark-winds-a-spin-off-of-longmire-theres-a-reason-you-think-so/
- Published: 2026-10-21T14:49:34.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-21T14:49:34.000Z
- Description: If Dark Winds reminds you of Longmire, you're not imagining things. There are familiar faces, similar themes, and a connection worth knowing about.
- Author: Ben
- Tags: #quick-note, #tv, TV Show: Dark Winds (2022–), crime, drama, mystery, 2020s, Rating: TV-MA, Seasons: 4, Run: 2022–, #Verdict: Rent

**Is Dark Winds a Spin-Off of Longmire? There's a Reason You Think So**

If you've watched *Longmire* and started watching *Dark Winds*, you might have noticed something familiar. The setting, the investigations, the complicated relationships between law enforcement and Native American communities. And especially one of the actors.

So, is [*Dark Winds*](https://www.bensmovieguide.com/tag/tv-show-dark-winds-2022-present/) a spin-off of *Longmire*?

No. The two shows aren't connected, at least not as far as their stories are concerned. But there's a pretty good reason you might think otherwise.

**You've Seen That Police Officer Before**

Zahn McClarnon, who plays Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn in *Dark Winds*, also played Chief Mathias, the Cheyenne tribal police chief in [*Longmire*](https://www.bensmovieguide.com/longmire/).

Apparently, McClarnon is particularly good at playing law enforcement officers who don't have much patience for nonsense.

And he's not the only familiar face. A Martinez, who played Jacob Nighthorse in *Longmire*, appears in *Dark Winds* as Sheriff Gordo Sena. Interestingly, McClarnon has said that although they worked on *Longmire* for years, he doesn't think they ever shared a scene.

**Two Different Stories, Two Different Authors**

*Longmire* is based on Craig Johnson's novels about Wyoming sheriff Walt Longmire. *Dark Winds* comes from Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn and Chee mysteries, set in the Navajo Nation during the 1970s.

Different authors, different characters, and entirely different fictional worlds.

But both shows understand something about telling a good mystery. The setting matters, the characters have complicated histories, and solving the crime isn't necessarily the only interesting thing going on.

If you've finished *Longmire* and are wondering what to watch next, *Dark Winds* is certainly worth considering.

Just don't expect Walt Longmire to come riding into town.

![Is Dark Winds a Spin-Off of Longmire? There's a Reason You Think So](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/54/e9540ff8-9c7a-495e-932d-5ba71686447c/content/images/2026/09/16x9-Thumbnail-7.png)

![Is Dark Winds a Spin-Off of Longmire? There's a Reason You Think So](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/54/e9540ff8-9c7a-495e-932d-5ba71686447c/content/images/2026/09/2x3--Poster-5.png)

![Is Dark Winds a Spin-Off of Longmire? There's a Reason You Think So](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/54/e9540ff8-9c7a-495e-932d-5ba71686447c/content/images/2026/10/T-52d0698d-c9ac-4c82-b531-b329bad36ea9-4x5-Dark-Winds-2022-4x5.jpg)

![Is Dark Winds a Spin-Off of Longmire? There's a Reason You Think So](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/54/e9540ff8-9c7a-495e-932d-5ba71686447c/content/images/2026/09/5x6-Image-7.png)

![Is Dark Winds a Spin-Off of Longmire? There's a Reason You Think So](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/54/e9540ff8-9c7a-495e-932d-5ba71686447c/content/images/2026/09/6x5-Image-7.png)

![Is Dark Winds a Spin-Off of Longmire? There's a Reason You Think So](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/54/e9540ff8-9c7a-495e-932d-5ba71686447c/content/images/2026/09/3x1-Thumbnail-4.png)

![Is Dark Winds a Spin-Off of Longmire? There's a Reason You Think So](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/54/e9540ff8-9c7a-495e-932d-5ba71686447c/content/images/2026/10/T-52d0698d-c9ac-4c82-b531-b329bad36ea9-1600x727-Dark-Winds-1600x727.png)