Diksha Sundriyal
AMC’s ‘Dark Winds’ transports the audience to the 1970s Navajo Reservation, where Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn leads investigations into mysterious murders that sometimes he ends up having a personal connection with. The fourth season begins with the disappearance of a girl named Billie, and the search for her leads Leaphorn, Jim Chee, and Bernadette Manuelito down a path where they encounter some very dangerous people. The show has garnered critical acclaim on various fronts, from the thick plot to strong performances and the presentation of the 70s. This wouldn’t have been possible without people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to lend the show its grittiness and authenticity. The second episode of Season 4 pays tribute to one such person. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Taylor Roberts was the Makeup Department Head on Dark Winds
Taylor Roberts was a valuable member of the ‘Dark Winds’ crew, working as the makeup department head and ensuring that the characters had an authentic 1970s look, which allows the show to feel more realistic to the audience. She passed away on November 12, 2024, at the age of 60 due to “sudden and unexpected” reasons. Hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, Taylor had made Santa Fe, New Mexico, her home, a place she “cherished deeply as she loved the desert.”
Her more than three-decade-long career in Hollywood started after she graduated from Magee Secondary School. She was the makeup department head at IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) 891 and had previously held the same position at IATSE Local 480. Apart from ‘Dark Winds,’ she is known for her work in ‘Flamin’ Hot,’ ‘Snag,’ ‘The Harder They Fall,’ ‘Midnight, Texas,’ ‘Independence Day: Resurgence,’ and ‘Bates Motel,’ to name a few. She was known for her adventurous spirit, her radiant personality, and her welcoming and friendly nature.
She is remembered by her loved ones as a warm and compassionate person with a great sense of humor, who could make things better by her mere presence. She is remembered by her colleagues as someone devoted to her work, known for always helping out others and encouraging them to be their best selves. Apart from her work, Taylor was also an animal lover. She rescued many dogs and horses and was and ardently advocated for animal rights and to be kind and caring to every living being.
Read More: Why did Emma Leave Leaphorn? Did Deanna Allison Leave Dark Winds?
