With Star Wars Celebration in full swing in Japan right now, we’re starting to get some interesting announcements come through, including the reveal of a new animated series, ‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord‘, premiering on Disney+ in 2026.
During the 20th anniversary Lucasfilm Animation panel, surprise guest Sam Witwer took the stage to reveal his return to the galaxy as the star of the next animated series — ‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’. The series is set after the Clone Wars, and follows Maul as he plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire.
Maul is one of the most iconic (former) Sith Lords in Star Wars history, known for his menacing appearance, double-bladed lightsaber, and quiet intensity. His character has appeared in multiple Star Wars films, animated series, and other media, with a surprisingly deep arc that spans decades in-universe… especially seeing as he was originally seemingly killed in ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’…
The Episode 1 performance was portrayed by Ray Park on-screen, with Peter Serafinowicz providing his voice. Sam Witwer took over voicing the role when Maul popped up in ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’, revealing he had managed to survive being sliced in half on Naboo by sheer hatred and the dark side. He is found by his brother, Savage Opress, with mechanical spider-like legs and a broken mind, and then is rebuilt mentally and physically by Mother Talzin (a Nightsister).
Maul becomes a major antagonist, building a criminal empire called the Shadow Collective (including Black Sun, Pyke Syndicate, and Death Watch), and also briefly rules Mandalore after defeating Pre Vizsla. He pops up again in live-action at the end of ‘Solo – A Star Wars Story’ (voiced by Witwer, played on-screen by Ray Park), as the secret leader of the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate.
Maul appears later in ‘Star Wars Rebels’, older and more obsessed with revenge, he attempts to corrupt Ezra Bridger and seeks to destroy both Jedi and Sith. He eventually dies in a brief but poetic duel on Tatooine with Obi-Wan, who finally kills him for good.
If you’re trying to work out where ‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’ fits in the Star Wars timeline, it looks like it would be in the period around 15 years BBY (Before The Battle Of Yavin – i.e. ‘A New Hope’), so inbetween ‘Clone Wars’ and ‘A New Hope’.
‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord‘ will premiere on Disney+ in 2026.
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