Star Wars: Maul Shadow Lord Animated Series Coming (March 2026) Everything We Know
I nearly jumped out of my seat when Lucasfilm dropped the Maul Shadow Lord announcement at Star Wars Celebration Japan this April.
After following Maul’s journey through Clone Wars and Rebels for over a decade, we’re finally getting the missing chapter that bridges his transformation from defeated Sith to criminal mastermind.
The series promises to explore one of Star Wars’ most complex villains during the Imperial Era, with Sam Witwer returning to voice the character that fans have been demanding more content about since his shocking return in Clone Wars Season 4.
Here’s everything we know about this highly anticipated animated series coming to Disney+ in 2026.
What Is Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord?
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is an upcoming animated television series created by Dave Filoni for Disney+, following the former Sith lord Maul as he rebuilds his criminal empire during the Imperial Era.
The series takes place after the events of The Clone Wars, showing Maul’s journey to unite underworld factions and establish his criminal syndicate.
Set on a planet untouched by the Empire, the show features Maul training a new Twi’lek apprentice while building his power base.
Imperial Era: The period between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope (19 BBY – 0 BBY), when the Galactic Empire ruled the galaxy under Emperor Palpatine.
Star Wars Celebration Japan Reveals Maul’s Return
Maul Shadow Lord was officially announced at Star Wars Celebration Japan on April 18, 2026, during Lucasfilm Animation’s 20th anniversary panel, with Sam Witwer making a surprise appearance.
The announcement came as a complete surprise during the anniversary celebration.
Attendees describe the moment Sam Witwer walked on stage as electric, with the crowd erupting when he delivered Maul’s signature gravelly voice.
The Exclusive Trailer Experience
Those lucky enough to attend Celebration Japan witnessed exclusive footage that hasn’t been released online yet.
Reports describe a dark, intense aesthetic with Maul sporting a new look that combines his Clone Wars appearance with weathered criminal lord elements.
The trailer apparently shows Maul confronting various underworld factions, training his Twi’lek apprentice in combat, and establishing his base of operations on a lawless planet.
“The animation style looks even more refined than The Bad Batch, with shadows and lighting that give it an almost noir feel.”
– Celebration Japan attendee report
Official Confirmation Details
Lucasfilm Animation’s president confirmed the series is currently in production with a targeted 2026 release on Disney+.
The announcement emphasized this as a passion project that Dave Filoni has wanted to tell since The Clone Wars ended.
No episode count was revealed, but industry sources suggest at least 12 episodes for the first season.
What Is the Plot of Maul Shadow Lord?
Set after the Clone Wars, the series follows Maul as he plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate and unite underworld factions during the Imperial Era, while training a mysterious Twi’lek apprentice.
The story picks up with Maul establishing himself as a crime lord after losing everything in the Clone Wars.
Without the Sith identity that once defined him, Maul must forge a new path through the galaxy’s criminal underworld.
The Criminal Empire Arc
Maul’s journey involves building what will eventually become the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate we see in Solo: A Star Wars Story.
The series explores how a former Sith lord adapts to operating outside the Force-user conflicts that dominated his previous life.
We’ll see Maul using manipulation, fear, and strategic alliances rather than just lightsaber combat to achieve his goals.
⚠️ Important: The series takes place approximately 18-17 BBY, filling the gap between Maul’s defeat in The Clone Wars finale and his eventual appearance in Rebels.
New Characters and Relationships
The mysterious Twi’lek apprentice represents a major new addition to Star Wars canon.
Early descriptions suggest this character serves as both student and potential successor to Maul’s criminal empire.
Rook Kast, the Mandalorian warrior from The Clone Wars, reportedly returns as one of Maul’s key lieutenants.
- The Twi’lek Apprentice: A Force-sensitive character learning both combat and criminal strategy from Maul
- Rook Kast: Mandalorian warrior continuing her service from The Clone Wars
- Marrok: Possible appearance of this mysterious character mentioned in production notes
- Various Crime Lords: New underworld figures Maul must defeat or recruit
Character Development Focus
Unlike his previous appearances focused on revenge against Obi-Wan and Sidious, this Maul has different motivations.
The series promises to explore Maul’s psychology as someone who lost everything – his master, his brother, his power – and must rebuild from nothing.
Sam Witwer described it as showing Maul’s “transformation from weapon to ruler” during the Celebration panel.
The Creative Team Behind Shadow Lord
Created by Dave Filoni with Matt Michnovetz as head writer, Brad Rau as supervising director, and Athena Yvette Portillo as executive producer, the team brings extensive Star Wars animation experience.
This isn’t just another Star Wars project – it’s a reunion of the core Clone Wars creative team.
Dave Filoni’s Vision
As the creator and executive producer, Filoni brings his deep understanding of Maul’s character arc from over a decade of storytelling.
He previously directed some of Maul’s most memorable Clone Wars episodes, including “The Lawless” and the Siege of Mandalore arc.
Filoni’s promotion to Chief Creative Officer at Lucasfilm ensures Shadow Lord aligns perfectly with broader Star Wars storytelling plans.
The Writing Team
Matt Michnovetz serves as head writer, bringing his experience from The Clone Wars where he penned several Maul-centric episodes.
His previous work includes the Shadow Collective arc and Maul’s confrontation with Sidious.
The writing team reportedly includes several Clone Wars veterans who understand the character’s complex history.
| Team Member | Role | Previous Star Wars Work | Notable Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dave Filoni | Creator/Executive Producer | Clone Wars, Rebels, Mandalorian | Maul’s resurrection storyline |
| Matt Michnovetz | Head Writer | Clone Wars, Rebels | Shadow Collective episodes |
| Brad Rau | Supervising Director | Rebels, Resistance | Twin Suns episode |
| Athena Portillo | Executive Producer | Clone Wars, Bad Batch | Production excellence |
Animation Excellence
Lucasfilm Animation’s team has refined their techniques through Clone Wars Season 7 and The Bad Batch.
Reports from Celebration suggest Shadow Lord features the studio’s most sophisticated animation yet.
The series apparently uses advanced lighting techniques to create a darker, more mature visual tone appropriate for Maul’s underworld story.
Where Shadow Lord Fits in the Star Wars Timeline?
Maul Shadow Lord takes place during the early Imperial Era, approximately 18-17 BBY, bridging the gap between The Clone Wars finale and Maul’s appearance in Star Wars Rebels.
This placement fills a crucial gap in Maul’s story that fans have questioned for years.
The Clone Wars Connection
The series picks up roughly a year after Order 66 and Maul’s escape during the Siege of Mandalore.
We last saw Maul fleeing in a stolen shuttle after Ahsoka freed him to create chaos during Order 66.
Shadow Lord shows what happened next – how a defeated Sith without purpose rebuilt himself as a criminal power.
Imperial Era Context
Set during the Empire’s consolidation of power, the series explores the criminal underworld’s response to Imperial rule.
While the Empire focuses on hunting Jedi survivors, criminals like Maul operate in the shadows.
This timing allows the show to reference Order 66’s aftermath without directly involving major Imperial characters.
Timeline Summary: Shadow Lord occurs 18-17 BBY, after Clone Wars (19 BBY) but well before Rebels (5-1 BBY), during the Empire’s early years when the criminal underworld was reorganizing.
Building Toward Rebels
The series sets up Maul’s eventual status in Rebels, where he’s an established crime lord seeking ancient Sith knowledge.
We’ll likely see the origins of his obsession with finding Sith holocrons and ancient weapons.
The show may also explain his connection to Malachor and knowledge of the Sith temple there.
For fans who love exploring Star Wars across different media, this series adds another crucial piece to the timeline puzzle.
What to Expect: Fan Theories and Speculation?
Fans speculate the series will show Crimson Dawn’s formation, potential Inquisitor conflicts, and connections to Solo: A Star Wars Story, with possible cameos from Clone Wars characters.
The Star Wars community has exploded with theories since the announcement.
Crimson Dawn Origins
Many believe we’ll witness the actual formation of Crimson Dawn, the crime syndicate Maul leads in Solo.
The series could show how Maul unified various criminal factions under his distinctive symbol.
This would directly connect to Qi’ra’s story and potentially set up future Crimson Dawn content.
Potential Character Appearances
- Ahsoka Tano: Their shared Order 66 escape could bring a brief encounter
- Cad Bane: The bounty hunter operates in the same underworld circles
- Hondo Ohnaka: The pirate’s connections could intersect with Maul’s empire
- Imperial Inquisitors: Newly formed Inquisitors might hunt the former Sith
The production team’s history suggests meaningful cameos rather than random fan service.
✅ Pro Tip: Keep an eye on official Star Wars social media channels for production updates and potential character reveals as we approach the 2026 release.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Star Wars: Maul Shadow Lord be released?
Star Wars: Maul Shadow Lord is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ in 2026, though no specific date has been announced. Production is currently underway according to Lucasfilm Animation.
Is Sam Witwer returning as the voice of Maul?
Yes, Sam Witwer is confirmed to return as the voice of Maul. He made a surprise appearance at Star Wars Celebration Japan to announce his involvement in the series.
How many episodes will Maul Shadow Lord have?
The official episode count hasn’t been announced, but industry sources suggest at least 12 episodes for the first season, similar to other Star Wars animated series.
Will Maul Shadow Lord connect to The Clone Wars and Rebels?
Yes, the series directly bridges the gap between The Clone Wars and Rebels, showing Maul’s transformation from defeated Sith to criminal mastermind during the early Imperial Era.
Is the series only on Disney+?
Yes, Maul Shadow Lord will be exclusive to Disney+ as part of Lucasfilm’s streaming strategy for Star Wars television content.
Who is the Twi’lek apprentice in Maul Shadow Lord?
The Twi’lek apprentice is a new character whose identity hasn’t been fully revealed. They’re described as Force-sensitive and will learn both combat and criminal strategy from Maul.
Final Thoughts on Maul’s Animated Return
After spending years analyzing every Maul appearance across Clone Wars, Rebels, and Solo, I can confidently say Shadow Lord addresses the biggest gap in his story.
The creative team’s track record with The Clone Wars and their clear passion for this character promises something special.
While we wait for 2026, fans can revisit Maul’s existing appearances and explore other Star Wars gaming experiences that feature the character.
The announcement has reignited discussions about Star Wars content across all platforms, proving the franchise’s enduring appeal.
Mark your calendars for 2026 – Maul’s shadow is returning to remind us why he’s one of Star Wars’ greatest villains.