How George R.R. Martin became involved in AMC’s excellent Dark Winds series

How George R.R. Martin became involved in AMC's excellent Dark Winds series

As a fan who has been captivated by the rich tapestry of stories that Hollywood has to offer, I cannot help but be utterly mesmerized by “Dark Winds.” This psychological crime thriller from AMC, now available on Netflix, is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of representation.

Dark Winds, airing on AMC, is a psychological crime thriller series (with seasons 1 & 2 streaming on Netflix). Originating from the novels of the late Tony Hillerman, this story unfolds within the Navajo reservation regions of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The production boasts an Indigenous team consisting of crew members, writers, actors, and directors.

On the show, two highly recognized figures from Hollywood take center stage: Robert Redford, an actor and director, and George R.R. Martin, author of the Song of Ice and Fire series. Despite their long-standing careers in the entertainment industry, they are typically linked to distinctly different genres of work.

How did George R.R. Martin and Robert Redford get involved in Dark Winds?

In the late 1970s, Martin relocated to New Mexico, eventually crossing paths with author Hillerman. As reported by James Hibberd at The Hollywood Reporter, these two writers formed a close friendship. Enamored by Hillerman’s writing style and noticing parallels between it and the fantasy genres he was fond of, Martin developed an appreciation for the culture and spirituality of the Navajo nation as portrayed in Hillerman’s books.

In 1986, Redford developed an affection for these books and obtained the screen rights. For many years, he endeavored to create different plans to bring the books to life on screen, but it was challenging to secure approval for projects involving Native American themes. Over time, several attempts were made to adapt some of the books into films, yet the budget constraints hindered them from achieving the high-quality production that Redford and his team desired.

2015 saw Robert Redford extending an invitation to Martin, who was not previously acquainted with him, for a discussion with Indigenous filmmaker Chris Eyre. Redford, appreciating that Martin was a follower of the books and a confidant of Hillerman’s, believed his Hollywood connections could potentially accelerate the project. Delighted by the collaboration offer, Martin agreed.

Originally, HBO conceived “Dark Winds,” but chose not to greenlight its production, despite Martin’s association with HBO through the “Game of Thrones” series. Fortunately for us fans, HBO allowed them to market the show elsewhere, and ultimately, AMC stepped up to bring it to life.

At present, two seasons of the fantastic drama “Dark Winds” are available for streaming on Netflix, reaching a wider audience. The third season has already been filmed and will air once production is completed. As reported by Native News Online, the first season of “Dark Winds” was among the top 10 shows on Netflix, with viewers tuning in for a total of 10 million hours during its initial week on the platform.

During a conversation with Rebecca Keegan from The Hollywood Reporter, Martin shared his belief about the significance of producing “Dark Winds”.

In some ways, these are classic whodunits. Someone is found dead, and the detectives have to figure out who did it. But the biggest thing really was the setting. If you drive to the western part of [New Mexico] where the Navajo reservation is, there are these amazing vistas where you might not see another car for an hour, and you can see forever in all directions. It’s another world, and Tony brought you into that world and into the Navajo culture and the culture of the other Indian tribes in the area. Some of the mysteries took Joe Leaphorn to the Zuni tribe or to the Hopi, or the Taos Indians, all of whom have really different customs. They’re no more alike than Swedes and Italians. Tony brought that vividly to life.
George R.R. Martin

The creators have skillfully adapted the books, moving them from print to visual media with excellence. They offer viewers an insight into the rich Navajo culture and the significant role the Navajo played during the 1970s, a period often underrepresented in Hollywood. Martin and Redford can take pride in their contribution to this exceptional series that sheds light on a group of people who are not typically highlighted in the industry.

2024-09-24 17:41