The iconic villain Darth Maul returns to dominate screens in “Maul: Shadow Lord,” scheduled for release in 2026. Sam Witwer reprises his role as the former Sith lord who traverses the criminal underworld after the events of The Clone Wars. This new animated series takes place between The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, revealing an unexpected chapter where Maul trains a new Padawan apprentice driven by his vision of revenge. Announced during the 20th anniversary Lucasfilm Animation panel at Star Wars Celebration Japan, the series retains the beloved animation style from The Clone Wars and The Bad Batch.
Lucasfilm Announces Maul’s Return in New Animated Series
Star Wars fans got the shock of their lives at Star Wars Celebration Japan when Lucasfilm revealed “Maul: Shadow Lord” during their 20th anniversary animation panel. The news of the iconic villain’s first standalone series since his return in The Clone Wars caught everyone by surprise.
Lucasfilm’s Executive Creative Director Dave Filoni took the stage with series creator Jon Favreau to present the project. “We’ve been planning this extension of Maul’s story for years,” Filoni told the excited crowd. “His trip from Sith apprentice to crime lord opens up rich storytelling possibilities we can’t wait to explore.”
Sam Witwer, who brought Darth Maul’s character to life through his voice in both animated and live-action appearances, will return to the role. During the presentation, Witwer shared his thoughts: “Maul exists in this fascinating space between villain and anti-hero. A strange code of honor drives him, even though revenge fuels his actions.”
The series will keep its visual connection to previous animated Star Wars shows while bringing fresh artistic elements. Lucasfilm Animation supervisor Athena Portillo explained: “You’ll see familiar techniques mixed with innovative approaches that redefine the limits of our storytelling.”
Production details shared at the panel include:
- A 12-episode first season
- Original music by Kevin Kiner, who scored The Clone Wars
- Several returning voice actors from previous Star Wars productions
- New character designs by acclaimed artist Jock
The team made it clear that while Ray Park brought Darth Maul to life physically in The Phantom Menace and Solo, this new series stays completely animated with no plans for live-action elements.
Fans took to social media immediately, making #MaulReturns trend worldwide within hours. The series launches exclusively on Disney+ in summer 2026. On top of that, a companion podcast about the character’s complex legacy throughout Star Wars canon will also be available.
Maul Rebuilds Power After Clone Wars
Darth Maul emerges with a new ambition after his defeat by Darth Sidious and subsequent escape. He aims to rebuild his criminal power base in the galaxy after the Clone Wars. The new series shows Maul’s schemes to reconstruct his criminal syndicate on a planet beyond the Empire’s control.
“Maul: Shadow Lord” bridges the gap between Maul’s final Clone Wars appearance and his rise as Crimson Dawn’s leader in “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” The fallen Sith apprentice masterfully manipulates the galaxy’s criminal underworld while seeking power and revenge against his enemies.
The story becomes more fascinating as Maul chooses a new apprentice—a Twi’lek who many hypothesize could be Darth Talon from Star Wars Legends. This plot element mirrors George Lucas’s original vision for his sequel trilogy, where Maul would lead the criminal underworld with Talon serving as his apprentice in a role similar to Vader’s.
A riveting confrontation unfolds when ex-Inquisitor Marrok meets Maul and delivers the chilling line: “So it’s true. You live.” Their encounter indicates Maul’s reputation endures throughout the galaxy despite losing his Sith status.
“Shadow Lord” chronicles the period between Maul’s Clone Wars finale and Crimson Dawn’s establishment, which later becomes prominent in “Solo.” The story reveals Maul’s adaptation to the Imperial era as he channels his hatred and ambition into building a criminal empire rather than pursuing Sith goals.
Sam Witwer continues his role as Maul’s voice actor, portraying the character’s transformation from a defeated Sith apprentice to an underworld crime lord. The series explores how Maul’s vision of his new apprentice drives his quest for vengeance and lays the groundwork for Crimson Dawn’s feared criminal organisation.
How Shadow Lord Connects the Canon Dots
“Maul: Shadow Lord” fills a significant gap in the Star Wars timeline by connecting major chapters of the former Sith’s story. The series takes place roughly one year after the Clone Wars and explains the period between Maul’s defeat by Sidious and his rise as Crimson Dawn’s leader in “Solo: A Star Wars Story.”
The story unfolds during a rarely explored era of Star Wars canon. Witwer explained that this period shows Maul recovering after Ahsoka Tano defeated him in their final Clone Wars battle. This timeframe reveals unknown aspects of his character that developed through his roles as Sith apprentice and crime lord.
Inquisitor Marrok’s introduction adds intrigue to the series. Marrok’s first appearance in “Ahsoka” and subsequent greeting to Maul with “so he lives” hints at the fallen Sith’s lasting influence across the galaxy after his defeat.
The series reveals Maul’s methods of building the criminal empire seen in “Solo.” This development answers fans’ questions about his transformation from a defeated Sith to Crimson Dawn’s leader – a story gap between his animated appearances and live-action role.
Maul’s Twi’lek apprentice creates another strong canon connection, drawing inspiration from the Legends character Darth Talon. This storyline mirrors George Lucas’s original vision for his sequel trilogy, where Maul would lead the criminal underworld with Talon by his side.
“Shadow Lord” weaves these elements together skillfully. The series explains Maul’s evolution before his “Rebels” appearance and final battle with Obi-Wan Kenobi. What once appeared as disconnected appearances in Star Wars media now forms a coherent character arc spanning decades of in-universe history.
Conclusion
“Maul: Shadow Lord” is a vital addition to Star Wars storytelling that fills significant gaps between The Clone Wars and Solo. The series gives fans a fresh look at Maul’s transformation from fallen Sith to criminal mastermind. His character’s development remains consistent with what fans have seen across multiple Star Wars entries.
Sam Witwer returns as Maul in this new series. The show features innovative animation techniques and introduces compelling new characters, including a mysterious Twi’lek apprentice. The story’s placement in the timeline answers long-standing questions about how Maul started Crimson Dawn.
The 12-episode series ended up becoming the missing chapter in Maul’s story that fans never realized they needed. With its careful attention to established canon and bold new storytelling directions, “Shadow Lord” will be must-watch content when it arrives on Disney+ in summer 2026.
