The Star Wars galaxy is once again turning its gaze toward one of its most enigmatic figures. In 2026, Darth Maul officially reclaims center stage with a new animated series that dives deeper into his dark journey.
First introduced in Star Wars: Episode I–The Phantom Menace (1999), Maul became an instant standout thanks to Ray Park’s menacing physicality and Peter Serafinowicz’s chilling vocal performance. Wielding a double-bladed lightsaber and facing off against Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), his apparent death was as dramatic as it was misleading. In Star Wars, resurrection is never out of the question.
Maul’s second life began in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, this time voiced by Sam Witwer. Discovered on a junk planet, disoriented and outfitted with makeshift spider legs, Maul was brought back to strength by his brother Savage Opress (Clancy Brown) and Nightsister matriarch Mother Talzin (Barbara Goodson).
Fueled by vengeance, he built the Shadow Collective—uniting powerful crime groups like the Pykes, Black Sun, and Death Watch. His brief reign over Mandalore and use of the Darksaber led to a standout confrontation with Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein) during the Siege of Mandalore. Though imprisoned, Maul managed to escape in the chaos of Order 66.
Maul’s arc continued in Star Wars Rebels, where his obsession with Ezra Bridger (Taylor Gray) and the Sith legacy drove him to yet another path of destruction. His final confrontation with Obi-Wan—now older and wiser—occurred in the poignant “Twin Suns” episode, with Obi-Wan (voiced by Stephen Stanton) striking the final blow. Maul’s cryptic question about “the Chosen One” subtly pointed to Luke Skywalker.
Live-action audiences got one last surprise in Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), when Ray Park reprised the role, voiced again by Witwer. As the secretive leader of Crimson Dawn, Maul’s influence over the galaxy’s criminal world was made clear, even if only briefly.
Now, Lucasfilm is pulling back the curtain on what happened next. During Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo, fans were treated to a major announcement.
“During the 20th anniversary Lucasfilm Animation panel at Star Wars Celebration Japan, 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,” StarWars.com explained.
The series takes place after The Clone Wars and explores Maul’s deeper involvement in the criminal underworld.
“In a new series set after the events of the final season of The Clone Wars, Maul rises again to lead the underworld factions,” the site added. “Fans attending the panel in person got an early look at the series’ new animation style with an in-room-only sizzle.”
The long-speculated Disney+ project is now a reality. Shadow Lord aims to bridge Maul’s trajectory between Clone Wars, Rebels, and Solo, giving fans a clearer picture of how he came to control Crimson Dawn.
“Star Wars: Maul–Shadow Lord is currently in production and will debut on Disney+ in 2026,” the announcement concluded.
Although Lucasfilm opted out of San Diego Comic-Con this year, fans still got a treat: Discussing Film (@DiscussingFilm) posted a sneak peek at the series, showing Maul in full form with his signature red dual lightsaber.
The Tokyo event also delivered other major news. Director Shawn Levy’s long-rumored Star Wars film has been confirmed. Titled Star Wars: Starfighter, the movie will take place five years after 2019’s Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker, with Ryan Gosling attached to star. Filming kicks off this fall, and the movie is set to arrive in theaters on May 28, 2027.
Are you ready to follow Maul’s next chapter? Let us know in the comments and share your thoughts.
I never did get what was supposed to be scary or the least bit intimidating about Darth Maul. Just looks like he’s been the victim of a child’s face painting party.