‘Star Wars’: Darth Maul to Return for New Animated Series

The new animated show will star Sam Witwer, be set after the events of the final season of ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars,’ and is due on our screens in 2026.

Sam Witwer as Darth Maul in 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'. Photo: Lucasfilm.

Preview:

Darth Maul is getting his own ‘Star Wars’ animated series.
Sam Witwer is back to voice the character.
‘Maul: Shadow Lord’ will be on Disney+ next year.

Despite being sliced in half and falling down a shaft following his defeat at the hands of Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi, the spiky-headed, devil-faced Darth Maul has enjoyed a long post-movie life, resurrected more than once (and dying again a few times, including a comic book rematch with Obi-Wan that ends with Maul’s horns cut off and a blaster bolt to the head from Owen Lars).

But the character, who made such an impact in ‘Peter Serafinowicz), just keeps popping back up.

He was seen in 2018’s ‘Sam Witwer.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

PG-132 hr 15 min May 25th, 2018

Showtimes & Tickets

Watch Solo: A Star Wars Story Online

Indeed, Witwer has made quire the career of providing the growly tones for the character, voicing him in animated series ‘Star Wars Rebels.’

So we should perhaps not be too surprised that he’s now scored his own series, set to be a variety show format where he introduces musical acts from across the galaxy far, far away. All right no, it’s not that. But we would watch that.

Instead, Witwer took the take at Maul: Shadow Lord’ and follows the further adventures of the character’s dodgy dealings in the criminal underworld.

Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord

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After the Clone Wars, Maul plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire. Read the Plot

What’s the story of ‘Maul: Shadow Lord’?

Sam Witwer as Darth Maul in 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'. Photo: Lucasfilm.

The new show is set in the wake of the events of the final season of ‘The Clone Wars.’ Maul tries to rebuild his defunct Shadow Collective criminal syndicate into what will eventually become ‘Solo’s Crimson Dawn on a planet unknown to the Empire, while taking an apprentice, Talon.

A somewhat deep pull from the wider ‘Star Wars’ mythology, Disney went in its own direction for the new movies.

She was to have been the apprentice of Darth Maul, the two serving as the new trilogy’s primary two villains.

As reported in a ‘Star Wars’ Archives tome, Lucas reportedly commented:

“She was the new Darth Vader and most of the action was with her. In early versions, she would have corrupted the character who became Kylo Ren, and in later versions they were combined into the same character.”

And that wasn’t the only Lucas idea for the character –– he briefly considered revealing that wheezing ‘Revenge of the Sith’ cyborg General Grievous was secretly a resurrected Darth Maul in disguise.

What else is happening with small-screen ‘Star Wars’?

Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) in Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars: Ahsoka,' exclusively on Disney+. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

While mainstay ‘Star Wars.’

On stage at Celebration, Lucasfilm Chief Creative Officer Carrie Beck, Lucasfilm’s Vice President of Animation and Live-Action Development, currently in the UK preparing for filming to begin.

That show will see the return of Lars Mikkelsen).

And following the death of Season 1 actor Rory McCann.

Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) in Lucasfilm's 'Andor', exclusively on Disney+. ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Elsewhere, ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.’

We can expect a third season of animated series ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,’ though nothing has been announced about that yet.

Where else have we seen (and heard) Sam Witwer?

'Maul: Shadow Lord's Sam Witwer at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.

In addition to his duties with the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy, including supplying additional voices to several of the main ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy movies, the aforementioned ‘Skeleton Crew’ and ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka,’ and a host of other animated ‘Wars’ work, Witwer has forged quite the career in front of the camera and as a voiceover artist.

Other voice work includes ‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ and a variety of video games.

You might also have seen him physically in the likes of ‘Being Human.’