At Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo, Lucasfilm announced a new animated series, Maul: Shadow Lord, coming to Disney+ in 2026. Darth Maul, who has already survived death twice, is back once again to build his own empire and this time, he’s taking on an apprentice of his own.
Announced during the 20th anniversary panel for Lucasfilm Animation, Shadow Lord will pick up about a year after the end of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Maul’s failed attempt to turn Ahsoka Tano is behind him. Now, he’s setting his sights on bigger plans, building criminal influence through factions like the Pykes, and recruiting a young Twi’lek apprentice he frees from captivity.
Sam Witwer, who voiced Maul in The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, returns to the role. He’s not just voicing Maul—he’s helping review scripts to keep the character consistent. According to reports from the Celebration panel, Shadow Lord will feature a visual style based on Clone Wars and Tales of the Jedi, but with a rougher, edgier finish. In particular, Maul’s crimson sabre blades are said to look almost fiery in the updated animation style.
The trailer shown at Celebration teased:
- Criminal underworld intrigue
- Gang wars and city planet chases
- A young apprentice’s training in the dark side
- A surprise encounter with an Inquisitor (likely Marrok from Ahsoka)
The series looks set to build on Maul’s time with Crimson Dawn, further expanding the character’s criminal empire storyline first touched on in Solo: A Star Wars Story and Clone Wars.
Darth Maul’s long-term popularity speaks for itself. From his first appearance in The Phantom Menace to his resurrection and rise in The Clone Wars, he remains one of Star Wars’ most enduring villains. Maul: Shadow Lord looks like it will dig deeper into that legacy and, for once, Maul is the one taking an apprentice, not losing one.
We’ll keep you updated with any new trailers, release details, and story hints as Lucasfilm reveals more. Maul: Shadow Lord is expected to premiere on Disney+ in 2026.