Darth Maul Rises Again in 'Shadow Lord' Series

Lucasfilm's Dave Filoni teases the former Sith's return in a new animated show that dives into the twisted psychology behind an iconic Star Wars villain.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:00pm

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Lucasfilm copresident Dave Filoni discusses the upcoming animated series 'Maul: Shadow Lord,' which will explore the backstory and continued survival of the iconic Star Wars villain Darth Maul. The show will depict Maul's rise as a crime boss in the underworld after the events of the Clone Wars, as he seeks to rebuild his power and influence in the galaxy.

Why it matters

Maul has become a fan-favorite character despite his seemingly fatal demise in 'The Phantom Menace,' thanks to his compelling visual design, fighting style, and tragic backstory. The new series will provide deeper insight into Maul's motivations and psychology, exploring themes of betrayal, resilience, and the corrupting influence of the Dark Side.

The details

The series will follow Maul as he establishes a criminal empire on the planet Janix, eliminating rival gangs and crime bosses. He will face off against an honest Janix cop, Captain Brander Lawson, as well as a young Jedi named Devon Izara who is hiding in the underworld. The show will draw inspiration from classic gangster films, depicting Maul's ruthless rise to power and his never-ending quest for revenge against those who have wronged him.

  • The new animated series 'Maul: Shadow Lord' will debut its first two episodes on Disney+ on April 6, 2026.
  • A second season of the show is already in development.

The players

Dave Filoni

Lucasfilm copresident and the creator of the new 'Maul: Shadow Lord' animated series.

Darth Maul

The iconic Star Wars villain who has survived multiple apparent deaths and is the focus of the new animated series.

Captain Brander Lawson

An honest Janix cop who will face off against Maul in the series.

Devon Izara

A young Jedi hiding in the underworld who will also cross paths with Maul.

Sam Witwer

The actor who has voiced Maul in various Star Wars animated projects since 2012.

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What they’re saying

“Maul is afraid, and power is the only way that he knows to really overcome this fear of his. This fear of being insignificant, of being forgotten, of being a nothing.”

— Dave Filoni, Lucasfilm Copresident

“He's this kind of tragic figure who is constantly doomed to repeat his mistakes. We have some empathy for him, but he's a bad figure. His moral judgment is not the best. He's determined to achieve his goals through whatever means necessary: manipulation, devious tactics, cruelty in some cases. But he's a survivor. You got to hand it to him.”

— Matt Michnovetz, Head Writer and Executive Producer of 'Maul: Shadow Lord'

“He wants revenge for everything that's been taken away from him. And he wants to build his own quote-unquote 'family'.”

— Athena Yvette Portillo, Executive Producer of 'Maul: Shadow Lord'

What’s next

The second season of 'Maul: Shadow Lord' is already in development, ensuring that the iconic villain's story will continue to unfold.

The takeaway

Darth Maul's enduring popularity and resilience, despite his many apparent deaths, highlights the appeal of tragic, morally ambiguous characters in the Star Wars universe. The new 'Shadow Lord' series will delve deeper into Maul's twisted psychology and his relentless pursuit of power and revenge, offering fans a gritty, gangster-inspired take on this iconic villain.