How did you prepare for getting into his inner life and the additional layers to his backstory?
ZAHN McCLARNON: That’s such a difficult question for me.
I have a really hard time articulating my process.
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Just as human beings, we’ve all gone through painful experiences loss, tragedy, joy, etc.
And as an actor, I just try and lean into and draw from those lived experiences.
It’s something I don’t mind doing.
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I really find it cathartic at times, and it’s a process that I do enjoy.
And I’d find myself at times where it was very blurry.
How has leaving B.J.
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Questioning those decisions he made, questioning his moral compass, and what those choices may have cost him.
Now it’s just Joe and Emma in the Leaphorn household.
So, those secrets have to come to light in a new way.
They can’t be hidden behind other relationships like maybe they could have in the past.
How did all of that play out in your mind?
McCLARNON: First off, I really think thatthe heart ofDark Windsis that relationship between Joe and Emma.
Image via AMC
To me, personally, that’s the heart ofDark Winds.
I think that’s a very positive thing.
It’s a beautiful thing.
Image via AMC
And it was just fun exploring that.
It’s never happened to me before.
First off, I don’t play very many romantic leads, you know?
I just haven’t in my career.
I never thought I’d be able to experience those things as an actor.
I’m very grateful, and very fortunate [that] I am.
McCLARNON: Well, just that.
Joe has chosen to keep these things from Chee, and that obviously does affect their relationship.
And there’s moments throughout the show where you will see how that affects Jim Chee.
Being around Kiowa [Gordon], the person, Kiowa brings a levity to the set.
He brings a goofiness in messing around that helps me quite a bit during the day.
I hope that’s coming out to the audiences, that the audiences are able to see that.
But now, Season 3 has a new monster of its own.
How did you feel about getting back into these more spiritual themes this season?
McCLARNON: Well, it’s difficult.
Authenticity is extremely important toDark Winds.
So, it’s very difficult to navigate through the mysticism aspects of the show.
I’m told the translation for Ye’iitsoh is “big thing that creates fear.”
Joe Leaphorn is in big trouble.
He’s a major fan of the show and an avid reader who loves the original Hillerman novels.
I think it was last year that came out.
Sure, there’s a lot of similarities.
Except for the hair.
Were you familiar with the Hillerman books or the previousLeaphorn & Cheeadaptations before you got on the show?
I know your formerLongmireco-star Lou Diamond Phillips played Chee inTheDark Windmovie in the ’90s.
Lou Diamond and Fred Ward and Gary Farmer.
What does that look like?
How do you embody that?
It’s work, but that’s what I do for a living as an actor.
Could a ‘Longmire’ Reunion Happen?
In addition to being bigDark Windsfans, my dad and I are also really bigLongmirefans.
Has there been any real talk of a potentialLongmirereunion?
And would you even be interested in returning as Mathias, if there were?
McCLARNON: I think everybody would be interested in returning.
Those are just a wonderful group of people.
I talked toKatee [Sackhoff]yesterday through text.
I’m in touch with Adam all the time, Adam Bartley.
And Robert [Taylor], whenever he comes to town, we have a go at get together.
And obviously A Martinez, who’s been working onDark Windsand we have a special relationship.
What’s Zahn McClarnon’s Favorite Part of ‘Dark Winds’ Season 3?
McCLARNON: Favorite moment?
God, there’s just so many moments.
I enjoy going to work, so,it’s all those moments put together.
One big moment is my special moment this season.
Dark WindsSeason 3 premieres March 9 on AMC and AMC+.
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