According to the Star Wars Celebration announcement in Tokyo, Japan, “Maul—Shadow Lord,” a Star Wars original series, will arrive on Disney+ in 2026.

Maul—Shadow Lord

Sam Witwer, star of the upcoming Maul—Shadow Lord, surprised fans at the Lucasfilm Animation 20th anniversary portion of the Star Wars Celebration and expressed his appreciation to all his character’s fans. He previously voiced the character in animated series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels” and in “Solo: A Star Wars Story.”

The new animated series takes place after the events of “The Clone Wars.” It appears that Darth Maul returns to lead the underworld factions in the Star Wars Universe. Deadline reported that, “Attendees at the Star Wars Celebration panel got a glimpse of the new series in a clip which reportedly reveals Maul training a Twi’lek apprentice that appears to be the future Darth.”

“Maul—Shadow Lord”

This new animated series continues the legacy of the scary villain first seen in the 1999 film “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.” He is a Sith Lord trained by Darth Sidious, known for his menacing appearance, red and black facial tattoos, and double-bladed lightsaber. Played by Ray Park, with voice work by Peter Serafinowicz and later Sam Witwer, Maul quickly became a fan favorite despite limited screen time in the film.

Though believed to be killed by Obi-Wan Kenobi during their intense duel on Naboo, Maul survived through sheer hatred and willpower. His story continued in the animated Star Wars productions, where he was revealed to have built a criminal empire and sought revenge against both the Jedi and Sith. These series expanded his character, showing a complex figure driven by pain, vengeance, and ambition.

Maul’s legacy extends beyond his battles. He represents the dark side’s seductive power and the long-lasting consequences of Sith manipulation. With his tragic arc and relentless pursuit of purpose, Darth Maul remains a powerful symbol of the Star Wars saga’s deeper themes of loss, power, and identity.

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Jon Self

Jon Self is an avid theme park fan. You can follow him at @pastorjonself on X/ Twitter or Jon.Self.37 at Instagram. He has been writing and editing in the theme park media world for over a decade. He also writes for several "foodie" sites as well as in the faith-based world.