By Guest 
. At Star Wars Celebration 2025, Lucasfilm dropped a bombshell that has fans buzzing with anticipation: a new animated series, Maul: Shadow Lord, is set to premiere on Disney+ in 2026, thrusting the iconic Sith Lord Darth Maul back into the spotlight.
The announcement, made during Lucasfilm Animation’s 20th Anniversary panel, was punctuated by a surprise appearance from Sam Witwer, the voice behind Maul in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Darth Maul’s Dark Reign Unleashed
Witwer’s return to the role was met with roaring applause as he teased the series’ gritty exploration of Maul’s post-Clone Wars journey. A teaser trailer, revealed exclusively to attendees, showcased the Dathomirian Zabrak’s dual-lightsaber prowess, his ruthless ambition to build a criminal syndicate, and a tantalizing glimpse of his new apprentice—a pink/red-skinned Twi’lek resembling Darth Talon from Star Wars Legends.
Maul – Shadow Lord, a Star Wars Original series, arrives on @DisneyPlus in 2026. #StarWarsCelebration pic.twitter.com/yW2YDxGj3J
— Star Wars (@starwars) April 18, 2025
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Maul: Shadow Lord promises to dive deep into the crimson-horned villain’s rise as a crime lord, picking up after his survival in The Phantom Menace and his schemes during the Clone Wars. The series will explore Maul’s mentorship of a dark side apprentice, echoing George Lucas’ original plans for a sequel trilogy that featured Darth Talon. Fans on X are already losing it, with posts calling the trailer “badass” and hyping Maul’s “double-ended lightsaber fighting” as a highlight. One user raved, “Maul’s about to own the underworld!”
The trailer also teased high-stakes action, including Maul’s clashes with bounty hunters and a dramatic duel with an Inquisitor, hinting at ties to the broader Star Wars universe. While plot details, episode count, and an exact release date remain under wraps, the series is confirmed to debut in 2026, with Lucasfilm Animation at the helm.
Social media is ablaze with excitement. The official Star Wars X account declared, “The fandom for the Shadow Lord has already begun,” while fans flooded the platform with reactions, from “Maul’s redemption arc is coming!” to “Sam Witwer was born for this role.” The series has sparked speculation about how it might connect to other Star Wars projects, especially with Lucasfilm quietly planning a 50th anniversary movie for 2027.
Maul: Shadow Lord is shaping up to be a bold addition to the Star Wars saga, blending Lucas’ original vision with fresh storytelling. As one X post put it, “Star Wars just went full dark side!” Buckle up, fans—this is one shadow you won’t want to escape.