Podcast Episode with Zahn McClarnon

Rider who shines in "Dark Winds", "Reservation Dogs" and "Fargo" talks bikes.

Rider Zahn McClarnon stars in Dark Winds while sharing executive producer duties with George R. R. Martin and Robert Redford. Image: AMC

Nearly five years ago, Henri and I rolled up to the Buffalo Chip at the Sturgis Bike Rally in South Dakota, our first. As we flicked our Harley kickstands down, I noticed a familiar face doing the same a few bikes over. He was easy to spot with long, raven black hair cascading down his shoulders, the man I knew from his role as Officer Mathias on the television series Longmire that Jean and I watched the year before on Netflix. A few minutes after Zahn McClarnon got off his borrowed Indian Chieftain, I sauntered over and introduced myself.

Because Henri and I watch different shows, he knew Zahn from his role as Akecheta in the TV series Westworld. Zahn was cordial as I hoped; he rode in with pals from Los Angeles while Henri and I were arriving from Wisconsin. We exchanged pleasantries, went our separate ways, and dove into the festivities. 

I was pleased when Zahn agreed to be our guest this year. He typically doesn’t care to do podcast interviews – although his 2022 episode with Marc Maron was insightful – but was interested in talking with us about his motorcycle origin story, all the places he’s ridden, which bikes he’s owned, and which bike he’s eyeballing these days.

It was a joy talking to a fellow 1966 baby who spent his formative years in the Midwest. Enjoy this conversation with a true Hollywood gem. He also drops a spoiler about Dark Winds: Season 2!

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