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Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is an upcoming animated series created by Dave Filoni for Disney+, set in the dark aftermath of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Premiering on April 6, 2026, the series follows Maul during the early years of the Galactic Empire, as he attempts to rebuild power in a galaxy that has moved beyond the age of Jedi and Sith.
Sam Witwer returns as the voice of Maul, reprising his role from The Clone Wars, Rebels, and other Star Wars projects. Produced by Lucasfilm Animation, the series brings back key creatives including Matt Michnovetz as head writer and Brad Rau as supervising director. Filoni, Michnovetz, and Rau serve as executive producers alongside Athena Yvette Portillo.
Two episodes will debut on April 6, with weekly releases continuing through May 4, 2026.
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord – Official Teaser Trailer
When Does Maul – Shadow Lord Take Place in the Timeline?
The series is set roughly one year after the end of The Clone Wars, placing it in the early reign of the Galactic Empire. This is a crucial transitional era in Star Wars canon—one where the Jedi have fallen, the Republic has vanished, and Palpatine’s Empire is tightening its grip on the galaxy.
For Maul, this is unfamiliar territory. He was shaped by an era of mystical conflict, secret wars, and ancient rivalries. Now, he exists in a colder, more industrial galaxy where fear is bureaucratized and power is centralized.
The show bridges the narrative gap between Maul’s last appearance in The Clone Wars and the next major chapter of his story seen in Star Wars Rebels, giving viewers insight into a period that has long been referenced but never fully explored.
What Is Maul – Shadow Lord About?
The series follows Maul as he rebuilds his criminal syndicate while training a new apprentice during the rise of the Empire. Rather than positioning him as a redeemed antihero, the creators have emphasized that the story is told from Maul’s perspective without softening who he is.
Sam Witwer has described the show as “bad guys versus worse guys,” suggesting a morally gray landscape filled with power struggles and betrayal. The series explores questions about Maul’s motivations, his lingering connection to his former master, and how he views a galaxy now ruled by machinery and authoritarian control instead of mystical conflict.
At its core, Shadow Lord appears to focus on identity and survival. Maul is no longer a Sith in service of a grand master plan. He is a relic of a fallen order, trying to carve out relevance in a new regime that has no use for him.
Who Is Maul’s New Apprentice?
Gideon Adlon voices Devon Izara, a Twi’lek who becomes Maul’s new apprentice. Her presence has sparked significant speculation among fans, particularly due to visual similarities to Expanded Universe characters like Darth Talon.
However, the series appears to introduce her as an original character within current canon. Her dynamic with Maul is expected to explore how he approaches mentorship differently from how Palpatine trained him.
This relationship is central to the show’s emotional and thematic weight. How does someone shaped by manipulation and cruelty teach another? And what does Maul truly believe power means in this new age?
Returning Creative Team and Animation Style
Lucasfilm Animation returns with much of the same creative leadership that shaped The Clone Wars and The Bad Batch. The animation style remains rooted in the established Clone Wars aesthetic but is described as more extreme and visually intense.
According to the creative team, the new look emphasizes sharper edges, darker shadows, and more dramatic lighting—reflecting Maul’s internal state and the oppressive tone of the Empire’s early rule. Reds, purples, and stark contrasts dominate the palette, giving the series a more dangerous and cinematic feel.
Dave Filoni has described the project as pushing the animation team beyond their comfort zone, aiming to elevate the visual storytelling to something closer to theatrical animation.
Cast and Characters
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Sam Witwer as Maul
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Gideon Adlon as Devon Izara
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Wagner Moura as Captain Brander Lawson
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Richard Ayoade as 2BOT “Two-Boots”
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Additional appearances from familiar Star Wars figures are expected
Witwer’s deeper involvement in development—including script discussions and early animation feedback—suggests a particularly layered portrayal of Maul this time around.
Episode Release Schedule
The first two episodes premiere on April 6, 2026. Two episodes will release weekly until May 4, 2026, making this a ten-episode season.
This staggered rollout mirrors previous Star Wars Disney+ releases and allows the series’ darker tone and character development to unfold gradually.
Is Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord Worth Watching?
If you’ve followed Maul’s journey through The Clone Wars and Rebels, this series fills one of the most intriguing narrative gaps in his story. It promises a character-driven exploration of a villain navigating irrelevance, rage, and survival in a galaxy that has changed dramatically.
The series does not appear to aim for redemption. Instead, it seems focused on understanding Maul as he is—dangerous, calculating, and deeply shaped by loss.
For fans of the Clone Wars animation era, darker Star Wars storytelling, and morally complex character arcs, Maul – Shadow Lord looks positioned to become one of the franchise’s most psychologically layered animated entries.
FAQ – Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord
When does Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord release?
The series premieres on Disney+ on April 6, 2026.
Is Sam Witwer returning as Maul?
Yes, Sam Witwer reprises his role as Maul and was closely involved in the character’s development for the series.
Where does the series fit in the Star Wars timeline?
It takes place about one year after the end of The Clone Wars, during the early rise of the Galactic Empire.
Is Maul redeemed in this series?
No. The creators have stated that the series does not attempt to redeem Maul but instead explores his perspective and motivations.
Conclusion
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord dives into one of the franchise’s most enduring villains at a pivotal moment in galactic history. By focusing on Maul’s perspective during the Empire’s rise, the series promises a darker, more introspective chapter in the animated Star Wars saga.
With upgraded animation, returning creative talent, and a character long deserving of deeper exploration, this could be one of 2026’s most compelling additions to the Star Wars universe.
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