Darth Maul fans, the wait is almost over. Lucasfilm and Disney+ have released a thrilling new trailer and striking poster for Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, the upcoming animated series that puts the iconic Sith Lord front and center in his most vengeful chapter yet. The footage dropped on March 16th, 2026, building massive hype for the two-episode premiere on Disney+ starting April 6th, with episodes releasing weekly until the finale on May 4th, Star Wars Day.
Created by Dave Filoni, the mastermind behind The Clone Wars, Rebels, and Ahsoka, the 10-episode series picks up after the events of The Clone Wars. Maul, voiced once again by the legendary Sam Witwer, is no longer content to lurk in the shadows. Shunned by his former master Emperor Palpatine and the Empire he helped build, Maul sets out to dismantle it from within. He plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate, Crimson Dawn, on the remote planet Janix, a world untouched by Imperial reach. There, he encounters a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan who could become the apprentice he has long sought to fuel his relentless quest for revenge.
The trailer pulses with intense lightsaber duels, shadowy underworld dealings, and Maul's signature ferocity. It teases high-stakes alliances, betrayals, and the ever-present pull of the Dark Side. Ahsoka viewers will spot familiar faces, including the live Marrok, the Inquisitor from Ahsoka whose mysterious backstory gets fleshed out here. Maul finds uneasy allies in Jedi Master Eeko-Dio-Daki (voiced by Dennis Haysbert) and his Padawan Devon Izara (Gideon Adlon), survivors of Order 66 now on the run. Their partnership is pure convenience, but the trailer hints at tension: will Devon's exposure to Maul's influence push her toward the Dark Side?
The voice cast brings serious talent to the table. Sam Witwer returns as Maul, delivering that unmistakable growl and intensity. Gideon Adlon voices Devon Izara, Oscar nominee Wagner Moura plays Brander Lawson, Richard Ayoade is Two-Boots, Dennis Haysbert voices Master Eeko-Dio-Daki, Chris Diamantopoulos is Looti Vario, Charlie Bushnell voices Rylee Lawson, Vanessa Marshall returns as Rook Kast, David C. Collins is Spybot, A.J. LoCascio voices Marrok, and Steve Blum lends his voice to Icarus.
Visually, the series stands out with stylized animation that blends gritty cityscapes on Janix with painterly brushstrokes and physical effects, giving it a unique look compared to other Lucasfilm Animation projects. The trailer showcases dynamic action sequences, Maul's double-bladed lightsaber spinning through enemies, and the dark allure of the criminal underworld.
Maul's journey has been one of the most compelling in Star Wars lore. Introduced in The Phantom Menace as Darth Sidious' deadly apprentice, his story seemed to end when Obi-Wan Kenobi bisected him in the Naboo duel. The Clone Wars revived him with cybernetic legs and a thirst for vengeance, turning him into a crime lord leading Crimson Dawn. Rebels gave him a poignant conclusion in his final duel with Obi-Wan on Tatooine. Solo: A Star Wars Story showed him ruling the shadows in live-action. This series fills in crucial gaps, exploring Maul's post-Clone Wars ambitions and his schemes against the Empire he once served.
Filoni has long championed Maul as one of the franchise's most fascinating villains, and Maul – Shadow Lord feels like a love letter to the character. It promises pulpy adventure, moral complexity, and the kind of deep lore that rewards longtime fans while welcoming newcomers.
The new poster that was revealed captures Maul in silhouette against a crimson backdrop with many other characters, his horns and eyes glowing with hatred and menace, perfectly encapsulating the "Shadow Lord" title. It is an awesome visual that screams revenge and darkness which is part of why fans love Maul.
With the premiere just weeks away, excitement is building across the fandom. The trailer has already racked up massive views, and discussions are swirling about how this fits into the larger Star Wars timeline, potential ties to Ahsoka, and what it means for Maul's legacy.
Mark your calendars for April 6th. Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord streams exclusively on Disney+, promising to deliver one of the most intense and character-driven stories yet in the animated galaxy far, far away. Revenge is coming, and Maul is ready to claim it. Will you be watching it?