Darth Maul Returns: Everything We Know About ‘Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord’

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The shadows of the criminal underworld are lengthening. Lucasfilm has officially pulled back the curtain on its next major animated venture: “Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord.” Following months of speculation, the first teaser trailer and poster art have debuted, confirming that the fan-favorite former Sith Lord is getting his own spotlight series this spring. Here is a breakdown of the biggest reveals from the announcement.

1. The Timeline: The “Dark Times” Begin

Set roughly one year after the climactic events of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the series explores the “missing chapter” of Maul’s journey. While the Empire is busy consolidating its grip on the galaxy following Order 66, Maul is a fugitive on the run from his former master, Emperor Palpatine.

The show follows his efforts to re-establish his base of power and lay the foundations for the criminal syndicate that fans know as Crimson Dawn.

2. Welcome to Janix: A Star Wars Noir

The primary setting for the series is Janix, a stunning new world described as “one part Gotham, one part Metropolis.” A massive cityscape built into a giant crater, Janix has managed to remain untouched by the Empire—for now.

Executive Producer Matt Michnovetz describes it as a rich environment for gangsters and crime, featuring its own functioning democracy and local law enforcement. This “pulpy” atmosphere provides a gritty, urban backdrop unlike any we’ve seen in previous Star Wars animation.

3. A Potential New Apprentice

One of the most intriguing reveals in the trailer is the introduction of Devon Izara (voiced by Gideon Adlon). A disillusioned young Twi’lek Jedi Padawan who survived the purge, Devon crosses paths with Maul and appears to be exactly what he is looking for: a Force-sensitive tool to aid in his quest for revenge.

Fans have already noted that her design and role seem inspired by “Darth Talon” from the Star Wars Legends continuity, a character George Lucas himself once envisioned as a potential apprentice for Maul.

4. Familiar Foes and New Faces

The voice cast is a mix of returning legends and high-profile newcomers:

  • Sam Witwer returns as the iconic voice of Maul.

  • A.J. LoCascio voices Marrok, the mysterious Inquisitor first seen in Ahsoka, appearing here in his early days of hunting Jedi.

  • Wagner Moura stars as Captain Brander Lawson, a local Janix detective trying to maintain a fragile peace.

  • Richard Ayoade provides his signature wit as the droid Two-Boots.

  • Vanessa Marshall reprises her role as Rook Kast, one of Maul’s loyal Mandalorian lieutenants.

5. A “Painterly” Animation Style

Visually, Shadow Lord is pushing technical boundaries. Supervising director Brad Rau and Athena Portillo revealed that the team returned to “old-school” filmmaking methods to give the show a tactile, hand-crafted feel. This includes painting brushstrokes on glass and using matte paintings on canvas, which are then strategically placed in the digital environments to create a unique, “painterly” aesthetic.

6. Release Schedule

The series will be a fast-paced, highly serialized 10-episode “thrill ride.”

  • Premiere Date: April 6, 2026, on Disney+

  • Format: Two-episode premiere, followed by two new episodes every week.

  • The Finale: The series will culminate in a two-part finale on May 4, 2026 (Star Wars Day).

“Chains can be broken. Empires can be shattered.” With these words, Maul’s latest bid for power begins. For fans of the character’s complex evolution from a silent assassin to a tragic mastermind, Shadow Lord looks to be the definitive look at his rise in the shadows.