At long last, Darth Maul returns to the Star Wars galaxy in his very own animated series. And we couldn’t be more excited.
Announced during the Lucasfilm Animation 20th Anniversary panel at Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord will premiere exclusively on Disney+ in 2026. The reveal came with thunderous applause, especially from longtime fans who have followed Maul’s journey from The Phantom Menace to The Clone Wars and Rebels.
For us at SamsDisneyDiary, few villains capture our attention quite like Maul. Darth Maul Shadow Lord promises to continue that legacy—and we can’t wait to learn more.
The Plot of Darth Maul Shadow Lord: Darkness Rises
Set about a year after the final events of The Clone Wars, Darth Maul Shadow Lord explores a turbulent time in Maul’s life. Now disconnected from both the Sith and his own revenge arc, Maul turns his focus to the criminal underworld.
The animated series finds Maul attempting to rebuild power by training a new Force-sensitive apprentice, Talon, while laying the groundwork for the Crimson Dawn syndicate. The narrative will bridge the gap between The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, giving us a deeper look at Maul’s fall—and rise—in the shadows.
One particularly thrilling moment teased at Celebration featured Maul battling an Inquisitor resembling Marrok from Ahsoka.
Who’s Behind the New Maul Animated Series?
The Darth Maul Shadow Lord creative team reads like a dream lineup for Star Wars animation fans:
- Voice Actor: Sam Witwer returns as the voice of Maul
- Writer: Matt Michnovetz (The Clone Wars, Rebels)
- Director: Dave Filoni
- Executive Producer: Athena Portillo (Lucasfilm VP of Animation)
Filoni’s influence ensures the continuity and emotional depth Maul deserves, while Witwer’s return means the character will again be brought to life with nuance and intensity.
Animation Style: A Dark Visual Evolution
Celebration attendees were treated to a preview reel showcasing the new animation style. It’s a stylized evolution of what we’ve seen in The Clone Wars, with deep shadows, dramatic lighting, and intense focus on Maul’s brooding presence.
The aesthetic reinforces the tone of Shadow Lord—dark, personal, and full of moral ambiguity. In short, it’s a Maul story through and through.
More From Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025
While Darth Maul, Shadow Lord, stole the spotlight, Lucasfilm also announced:
- Tales from the Underworld – An animated anthology featuring characters like Cad Bane and Asajj Ventress
- Young Jedi Adventures – Season 3 – Slated for a Fall 2025 release
Both shows bring something new, but there’s no denying Shadow Lord has us the most excited. This is the continuation fans have wanted for years.
We Can’t Wait to Learn More
Darth Maul Shadow Lord is shaping up to be the definitive deep dive into one of Star Wars’ most iconic characters. The series isn’t just a return—it’s an expansion of Maul’s mythos. We’re ready to follow him into the shadows.
Whether it’s his role in Crimson Dawn, his bond with Talon, or the inevitable clash with agents of the Empire, we’ll be watching closely. This is a villain worth the spotlight.
