The latest season of AMC's gripping crime drama Dark Winds took viewers on a tense journey far from the Navajo reservation, plunging Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon), Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), and Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten) into the dangerous underbelly of 1970s Los Angeles. At the heart of the conspiracy they uncovered was a chilling figure operating from behind bars: Dominic McNair, played with menacing precision by Titus Welliver. In an exclusive interview, the actor shared his insights into the season's intense finale and what the future may hold for his character.
A Fan Long Before the Role
Welliver revealed that his connection to the world of Dark Winds began long before he joined the cast. He was an avid reader of Tony Hillerman's original novels, a passion sparked by his younger brother's enthusiasm. "My brother started reading them when he was about nine," Welliver explained. "He'd talk about them constantly, so I had to check them out for myself." This deep familiarity made him particularly excited when the series was announced, especially with the casting of Zahn McClarnon as Leaphorn, a choice he felt perfectly embodied the character from the page.
Crafting a New Kind of Villain
While his character, Dominic McNair, is inspired by George McNair from Hillerman's novel The Ghostway, Welliver and showrunner John Wirth crafted a distinct version for the screen. The actor revisited the source material but embraced the unique challenge of playing a villain whose power is exerted entirely from a prison cell. "He flips a switch and everything goes sideways," Welliver said, describing McNair as a "dark specter" and a formidable puppet master whose influence extends far beyond his concrete walls. The visual presentation, crafted by cinematographer Todd A. Dos Reis—with whom Welliver had previously worked—added another layer to the character's ominous presence.
The Dangerous Dynamic with Irene Vaggan
A key relationship this season was between McNair and the ruthless enforcer Irene Vaggan, played by Franka Potente. Welliver shed light on their complicated history, suggesting a past that may have included a sexual relationship, though showrunner Wirth encouraged him to interpret the dynamic freely. The actor described Vaggan as McNair's chosen "instrument of destruction." "It's like somebody who uses a vicious animal as a weapon," he analogized. "You have to dominate and control it, or it turns on you." He emphasized that McNair is fully aware of her lethal capabilities but believes he holds the leash. Their off-screen friendship, from working together on Titans, helped build an immediate and unsettling on-screen chemistry.
What's Next for McNair?
Season 4 concludes with Dominic McNair still incarcerated but decidedly not defeated. While Welliver expressed clear hopes to return for a potential fifth season, noting that nothing is officially confirmed, he teased that the character remains a significant threat. "He's had a few teeth pulled," the actor hinted, suggesting McNair has been wounded but is far from out of the game. The finale leaves the door wide open for this master manipulator to once again orchestrate chaos from his cell, promising more high-stakes conflict for Leaphorn and Chee.
Welliver's performance has been a standout in a season praised for its tension and expansion of the Dark Winds universe. The series continues to earn critical acclaim, having recently achieved the impressive feat of maintaining a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes across four seasons, a testament to its consistent quality.
Looking to the Future
As fans eagerly await news of a Season 5 renewal, the finale has certainly set the stage for more drama. The unresolved tension with McNair mirrors the suspense of other awaited finales, like the promised answers in the Matlock Season 2 finale. For Welliver, the experience of joining a show he already admired has been deeply rewarding. His journey from fan to key player underscores the show's successful translation from beloved novels to must-see television, leaving audiences to wonder just how Dominic McNair will plot his next move.
