Upcoming New 'Star Wars' TV Show: ‘Maul – Shadow Lord’

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The announcement for the new ‘Star Wars’ animated TV series dropped, leaving fans speechless for what’s to come. ‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’ is currently in production, coming to Disney+ in 2026.

During the 20th anniversary panel for Lucasfilm Animation at Star Wars Celebration Japan, audiences were met with a thrilling surprise: Sam Witwer is officially returning as the voice of Darth Maul in the brand-new series.

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A Familiar Voice, A New Chapter

Sam Witwer has become synonymous with the character of Maul, having portrayed the fan-favorite antagonist in ‘The Clone Wars’, ‘Star Wars Rebels’, and even in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’. Witwer’s vocal performance has long been praised for adding emotional depth and nuance to a character once thought to be just a silent Sith assassin.

Now, in ‘Shadow Lord’, Witwer steps back into the role — but this time, Maul is older, more calculated, and even more dangerous.

“About a year has passed since The Clone Wars,” Witwer shared during the panel. “Maul’s dusting himself off a bit. Ahsoka kicked him to the curb — and he’s still nursing those wounds, physically and mentally.”

The series is set shortly after the fall of the Jedi Order, during a time when the galaxy is in shift, and the Empire has yet to fully tighten its grip.

It’s within this fragile mess of chaos that Maul sees opportunity.

On a remote planet untouched by Imperial rule, he starts rebuilding his criminal empire — or as we’ve come to know it: the Shadow Collective.

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Everything We Know

While details are still largely under wraps, fans were treated to an in-room-only reel teasing a new animation style and the show’s darker tone.

According to “CinemaBlend“, those in attendance described the footage as both “visually cinematic” and “unapologetically Maul.”

The clips reportedly featured intense close-ups, brooding voiceovers, and glimpses of underworld activity — hinting that the series may delve deep into the criminal empire Maul is rebuilding.

The short clips reportedly show intense close-ups and brooding voiceovers — suggesting the series may go deeper into crime-lord territory.

I can only imagine the wave of speculation surrounding who will voice each character — and, even more interesting, which characters will appear in the animated series at all.

At the panel, producer Athena Portillo hinted at what fans can expect. “Unfortunately I can’t tell you too much,” she said with a smile, “but what I can say is that Sam Witwer’s involvement in the show has been pristine. He’s been reviewing scripts and offering input. Dave Filoni and Sam really shaped this character for animation, so having his voice — creatively and literally — is essential.”

That collaboration between Filoni and Witwer might just be one of the show’s biggest secret weapons.

The two have shaped Maul’s arc for years, and with their dynamic back at the helm, fans can expect storytelling that hits hard — emotionally and visually.

And they’re not doing it alone. Producers Athena Yvette Portillo, Joel Aron, and Keith Kellogg bring serious ‘Star Wars’ animation cred to the table.

They’ve worked on everything from ‘The Clone Wars to Rebels’ and ‘The Bad Batch’, so they know how to balance cinematic scale with character-driven depth.

With this crew behind the scenes, ‘Shadow Lord’ feels like it’s being built by people who really get what makes this universe resonate.

It’s hard to say what this series will offer because of how little information has been released, but one things for sure, with Sam Witwer returning as Darth Maul, expectations are high.

How the Franchise Is Always Pushing Boundaries

From the very beginning, ‘Star Wars’ has been about pushing the envelope, and that drive continues to define the franchise today. When George Lucas founded Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), he didn’t just create a studio — he brought together a team of engineers and artists, giving them the freedom to experiment and invent.

This kind of bold, innovative thinking is exactly what the industry needs more of today.

But it’s not just the special effects.

‘Star Wars’ has always found ways to evolve —from the animation in ‘The Clone Wars’ that was a leading success, to genre-bending hits like ‘The Mandalorian’, to the most recent ‘Andor’ with its second season streaming on Disney Plus.

The franchise keeps surprising us, shifting how stories are told in a galaxy far, far away.

And now, they’re doing it again.

At the same panel in Tokyo, it was announced that two legendary worlds would be colliding.

With ‘Stranger Things‘ director Shawn Levy at the helm of ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’, with Ryan Gosling — yes, ‘La La Land’ and ‘Barbie’s‘ very own — stepping into a leading role, things are about to get a whole lot mote cinematic.

‘Starfighter’ picks up the story about five years after ‘The Rise of Skywalker’, but it’s not here to rehash old ground.

With a brand-new narrative and an original cast, it’s paving ways to carve out its own legacy in the ‘Star Wars’ universe.

Ryan Gosling, who grew up loving the franchise, is already hyping up how unique this project feels — and Gosling doesn’t mess around. When he’s in it, he’s in it. Cue ‘I’m Just Ken’.

Filming is set to begin fall 2025.

Related article: Understanding the Star Wars Timeline

What Should You Watch Before This?

To prepare for ‘Maul – Shadow Lord’, here’s a short watchlist that you might want to recap on before going into the series:

‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ (Seasons 4–7): Reintroduces Maul post-‘Phantom Menace’, explores his rivalry with Obi-Wan, and showcases the birth of the Shadow Collective.
‘Star Wars Rebels’ (especially Season 2 and Season 3): Features the end of Maul’s arc and his final confrontation with Kenobi.
‘The Phantom Menace’ (1999): Maul’s debut — worth a rewatch to really get a sense of the character’s arc and journey.

Unlike many recent ‘Star Wars’ projects, ‘Shadow Lord’ seems hyper-focused on character. This isn’t a story of Jedi and Sith or rebellion versus Empire. This is a story of Maul.

There’s also something undeniably exciting about returning to animated ‘Star Wars’, even for someone who might not be the biggest ‘Star Wars’ fan.

Lucasfilm Animation has always been a space where the franchise pushes boundaries, and with new tech and more storytelling opportunities, ‘Shadow Lord’ might just be the studio’s most ambitious entry yet.

Related article: Understanding the Star Wars Timeline

The Bottom Line

We don’t know the full cast yet. We haven’t seen official footage. But already, ‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’ is going to be an exciting animated series that everyone’s going to want to watch.

And with Sam Witwer not just voicing Maul but also shaping his journey behind the scenes, longtime fans should feel confident that this is Maul’s story told by the people who know him best.

By Emma Gladstone

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Emma Gladstone

Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
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Emma Gladstone

Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.

Emma Gladstone

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Upcoming New ‘Star Wars’ TV Show: ‘Maul – Shadow Lord’