Linda Hamilton’s Dark Winds Cameo Explained & Who Inspired Her Season 4 Character

A familiar face appears in Dark Winds season 4, but actor Linda Hamilton’s cameo role is a far cry from her most recent notable small-screen role. Dark Winds season 4’s cast of characters includes a lot of returning characters, like Zahn McClarnon’s Joe Leaphorn and Kiowa Gordon’s Jim Chee, as well as a few new faces.

Among the new cast members are Franka Potente and Titus Welliver, who play the mysterious German hitwoman Irene and the businessman Dominic McNair, respectively. By the end of season 4, episode 1, it is clear that Irene will be a major villain in this season, but she wasn’t the only new guest star in “Baptism by Fire.”

Linda Hamilton Plays Gordo's Wife, Barbara, In Dark Winds Season 4

When Leaphorn assists with a broken-down car on the roadside, he unexpectedly encounters Scarborough Police Department Acting Chief Gordo Sena’s retired wife, Barbara Sena. Played by The Terminator heroine Linda Hamilton, Barbara is a sweet, friendly character who tries to recognize Leaphorn as he helps the couple with their flat tire.

As their conversation continues, it becomes clear that Barbara is struggling with dementia. She mistakes Leaphorn for his father, and Gordo confides in Leaphorn about his struggles with his wife’s diagnosis since her retirement. It’s an unexpectedly poignant scene, and one with a close personal link to Hamilton’s offscreen life.

How Linda Hamilton's Mother Inspired The Dark Winds Character

Hamilton explained to People Magazine that her mother struggled with dementia for 25 years, which made the role of Barbara both a challenge and an honor. Hamilton described seeing the shoes that Barbara wears on the show and immediately feeling transported, since her real-life mother wore the same shoes in the same era.

The care that Hamilton brought to the role is typical of the critically acclaimed Dark Winds, which has tackled numerous difficult subjects with grace and tact that can be uncommon in cop shows. The actor said her experience with her mother and friends who were diagnosed with dementia helped inform her portrayal of Barbara.

Before Dark Winds, Linda Hamilton Appeared In Stranger Things Season 5

Shortly before appearing in Dark Winds season 4, Hamilton could be found on another, very different Netflix series, playing just about the opposite role. Hamilton played the sadistic scientist Dr. Kay in Stranger Things season 5, acting as the primary human villain in the show’s final outing.

Although Stranger Things season 5 was a historically huge release for the streaming giant, Hamilton’s character had a surprisingly subdued exit. One of the many controversies surrounding the Stranger Things finale was her character’s fate, as Dr. Kay was effectively forgotten entirely after Eleven’s sacrifice.

This was a disappointing ending for viewers who hoped that a star as big as Hamilton would get to play a major role in the show’s final outing, acting as a human equivalent to the show’s big bad, Vecna. Instead, Kay got a handful of interactions with Eleven and Hopper early on, but soon faded from relevance before simply leaving halfway through the finale’s story.

This was a disappointing guest role for the blockbuster star, so it was a treat to see the crime drama offer Hamilton a more intriguing, unexpected role. After a long career of playing ruthless characters, Linda Hamilton’s Dark Winds season 4 cameo is a revelation.

Source: People Magazine