Beyond the twisted case he’s working this year, what is Joe forced to uncover about himself in season three?
Well, it’s a continuing exploration of the tragedy that’s happened to him, and the ramifications of his son’s death. Consequences come to Joe for his actions in season two [facilitating the murder of his son’s killer] — how it affects his mental state, and obviously his relationships . . . mainly his marriage. He’s struggling with guilt. It puts him in a lot of fear and anxiety, questioning the decisions he’s making — his moral compass. He found himself in a moral grey area at the end of season two. So, it’s about self-understanding, healing, reconciling with his traumatic past and his choices.
The arrival of Sylvia Washington, portrayed by the great Jenna Elfman, is a key catalyst for that personal crisis.
Agent Washington puts him on the ropes a little bit. That’s what causes a lot of Joe’s anxiety. This FBI agent might find out what Joe actually did, and the stakes are Joe losing everything — going to jail. So, it puts him on ice quite a bit this season.
And she’s played by Jenna Elfman, who is absolutely brilliant. She’s a pro. I found myself just staring at her in scenes and having to say, “Zahn, you’re in the scene. We’re not just watching . . . we’re working!”
What is Lt. Joe Leaphorn’s superpower and what’s his Achilles’ heel?
Superpower? Connecting the dots — and being able to compartmentalize somewhat between his work and his culture. Achilles’ heel? Stubbornness in his marriage — not being able to wrap his brain around how Emma feels about him and his job and the way he deals with his son’s murder . . . Not being attuned to Emma.
I’m also a big fan of [director] Mike Flanagan’s big-screen Shining sequel, Doctor Sleep. How was it playing Crow Daddy, this very unusual sort of vampire?
Mike Flanagan is great. He approached me for the part and I just said: “As long as he’s not Native.” I do a lot of Native roles. I’m Native American, I grew up in my culture, but I’m an actor — I like to do other kinds of characters that aren’t Native-based. If you read the book, that character was a Jewish businessman in a suit. Mike gave me the freedom to do what I wanted with the way he dressed. I grew out my little moustache and goatee . . . and that’s about all I could grow out, because I can’t grow a full beard!
Back to Dark Winds, is it tough living so long in the headspace of someone who has a true calling as a lawman — yet that calling also makes him miserable?
I think as humans we all go through painful experiences — from loss and tragedy to joy. As an actor, I just try to lean into that and draw from my own, lived experiences. I find playing Joe to be cathartic at times . . . You try to feel those emotions and you explore those states of mind, and be truthful with them — and you get to a point where you’re kind of blurring that line. But I enjoy the process, for sure.
Will there come a point where Joe just can’t bear to do this impossible job?
Yeah, I think there’s a breaking point in every human. If you follow the Hillerman books, Joe does eventually retire — and he comes back. I’m not sure how we’re going to explore that yet. But we’re definitely doing a season four. And I love doing the character, I love being a part of the show. We’ve become quite a family. So, I’ll keep goin’. There’s 18 books. Joe’s not in all of them, but . . . lots of source material.
The season finale of Dark Winds airs Sunday, April 27 on AMC
MEMORABLE ROLES:
A versatile, prolific presence across film and TV, you’ve seen Zahn McClarnon as underworld enforcer Hanzee on season two of Fargo and as rebellious robot Akecheta on Westworld — in addition to playing complicated lawmen on both Longmire and Reservation Dogs.
CURRENT GIG:
Based on the novels of Tony Hillerman, Dark Winds casts McClarnon as Lt. Joe Leaphorn, who — along with young deputy Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) — struggles to define and dispense justice as head of Navajo Tribal Police in the early 1970s American Southwest. Season three wraps tonight — with season four already greenlit.