Reflecting on a legend.
The AMC series “Dark Winds” starring Zahn McClarnon was Robert Redford’s final role before his death late last year.
Now in Season 4 (Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC and AMC+), “Dark Winds” is a gritty crime drama set in the ‘70s, following the Navajo Tribal Police solving mysteries and crimes on their reservation. The show has already been renewed for Season 5. McClarnon stars alongside Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, and Deanna Allison.
“I’ll hold onto those memories forever,” McClarnon told Page Six of working with Redford.
Redford, who died at 89 in September, was an executive producer of the show, along with George R.R. Martin. In Season 3, the two Hollywood titans had an onscreen cameo as men playing chess in a jail cell, trading banter with McClarnon.
“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,” said McClarnon.
The actor, who is Native American, added, “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!”
The “Westworld” actor said that towards the end of his life, “Bob was completely all there, mentally.”
Physically, Redford had some “difficult times walking,” said McClarnon, but shooting the scene, “he was smiling and having fun with the cast and the crew.”
Redford also wasn’t a distant exec producer.
“He visited the set quite often,” McClarnon recalled. “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.”
The “Reservation Dogs” actor praised Redford for being an “icon for Native storytelling, and for the whole business, in general.”
“Dark Winds” is based on the “Leaphorn & Chee” novel series by Tony Hillerman. The eighteen book series spanned decades, publishing between 1970 and 2006.
McClarnon said that Redford had the rights “for 30 years.”
“We luckily found a home at AMC. I’m so glad that Bob became part of my life.”
Since Season 4 is the first “Dark Winds” season without him, McClarnon said they will do a memorial – especially since it films in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Redford lived.
“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.”
McClarnon, who also made his directorial debut in Season 4, said that Redford was an “immense talent” who was “such a meaningful figure” and “just championed independent film and indigenous stories.”
“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” currently airs Sundays at 9 pm. on AMC and AMC+.
