The second episode of Dark Winds season four ended with an in memoriam dedication to Taylor Roberts, a makeup artist who worked on the AMC series. Many viewers who saw the tribute may not have known her name, but her work shaped the look of the show in ways that reached every scene, according to Screen Rant.
Roberts served as makeup department head during season three. In that role she oversaw all makeup work on the production, from the lead characters to the more demanding creature work, including the Ye'iitsoh that appeared in that season. Dark Winds is set in the 1970s on the Navajo reservation, and getting the period details right requires consistent effort across every department. Roberts's work helped give the series the authenticity that critics and viewers have praised throughout its run.
She passed away on November 12, 2024. Her obituary, shared via Neptune Society, asked that those who partake raise a glass of scotch or champagne in her memory, and for those who do not drink, a hug with a loved one or pet would do.
Roberts worked in film and television for decades before her time on Dark Winds. Her credits include Happy Gilmore, Saving Silverman, 40 Days and 40 Nights, the 2002 version of Carrie, Freddy vs. Jason, Scary Movie 3, Stargate: Atlantis, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, 3:10 to Yuma, Hostiles, and Bates Motel, among many others. More recently she worked on The Really Loud House in 2022 and both Flamin' Hot and Snag in 2023.
The tribute in episode two is not the first time the series has honored someone connected to the production. An episode in season three paid tribute to Robert Redford, who had ties to the show.
Dark Winds season four continues to follow Joe Leaphorn, Bernadette Manuelito, and Jim Chee as they investigate the disappearance of Billie Tsosie from the Navajo reservation. The season has maintained the show's perfect 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
