The new animated Darth Maul series will debut on Disney+ in 2026. This marks the return of one of the most iconic villains in the Star Wars universe. Titled Maul: Shadow Lord, the project was officially revealed during Star Wars Celebration Tokyo. The announcement came in a special panel that celebrated 20 years of Lucasfilm Animation.
Sam Witwer, known for voicing Maul in The Clone Wars, Rebels, and Solo: A Star Wars Story, returns to the role. He’s also helping shape the character behind the scenes.
A new chapter for Maul in animation
The story takes place one year after the events of The Clone Wars season seven. Witwer shared this timeline during the panel. Now, Maul deals with the aftermath of his defeat by Ahsoka Tano and tries to rebuild.
Lucasfilm played a tribute video during the event to celebrate its animation division’s 20th anniversary. In the final moments, fans got a first glimpse of the new series. This preview raised even more excitement among the audience.
Sam Witwer helps craft the story
Athena Portillo, Lucasfilm’s Vice President of Animation, spoke about Witwer’s deep involvement:
“Sam is reviewing scripts and sharing ideas. He and Dave Filoni built this version of Maul, so it’s crucial to hear his input.”
Witwer also teased that fans will see new sides of the character:
“He has traits you might not expect. But they make sense based on everything he’s gone through.”
What to expect from Maul: Shadow Lord
The team hasn’t shared details about the plot or animation style yet. Still, we know that Matt Michnovetz is leading the project. He’s a longtime writer at Lucasfilm Animation.
The title hints at a more personal look at Maul’s journey after the Clone Wars. However, the creators are keeping most story elements secret for now.
Conclusion
The new animated Darth Maul series is set for 2026. The story continues Maul’s legacy as a fallen Sith who still shapes events from the shadows. With Lucasfilm Animation behind the scenes and Sam Witwer returning, Maul: Shadow Lord promises to expand one of Star Wars’ darkest legends.
The official announcement was published on the Star Wars website on April 18, 2025, and can be viewed at this link.
