Disney has renewed Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord for a second season even before its first season has premiered. The animated series, created by Dave Filoni, is set to debut on Disney+ on April 6, 2026, with a two-episode launch followed by weekly releases.
Set after the events of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the story follows the iconic villain Darth Maul as he tries to rebuild his criminal empire during the early days of the Galactic Empire. Along the way, he encounters a young Jedi Padawan who could become his new apprentice.
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord renewed for second season days ahead of season one premiere
The animated series Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is designed to bridge the gap in Maul’s journey between the end of the Clone Wars and his eventual appearance in Solo and Star Wars Rebels. The show is set approximately one year after the fall of the Republic.
It follows Maul, who is no longer a Sith Lord but a survivor trying to carve out a new legacy. The story takes place on the planet Janix, a unique world featuring a massive city built inside a crater.
Maul’s goal is to rebuild his criminal empire, which fans know will eventually become the powerful Crimson Dawn. Along the way, he comes across a disillusioned Twi’lek Jedi Padawan named Devon Izara, who is hiding from the Empire’s Inquisitors. Maul sees her as a potential apprentice, leading to a dark, complex relationship that explores whether a former villain can truly teach someone else.
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is directed by Brad Rau, who also serves as supervising director, while Matt Michnovetz is the head writer. The project is backed by key Star Wars creative figure Dave Filoni, who helped shape the story and its connection to earlier shows.
Sam Witwer returns as Darth Maul, continuing his long association with the character. Gideon Adlon, Wagner Moura, and Richard Ayoade are also featured in the voice cast. Additional cast members include Dennis Haysbert and Vanessa Marshall.
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord was greenlit by Lucasfilm in early 2024 as part of its plan to expand animated Star Wars stories for Disney+. The animated series’ development was led by Dave Filoni, with Matt Michnovetz serving as head writer. Casting took place through mid-2024, with Sam Witwer confirmed early due to his long history with the character.
The rest of the main cast, including Gideon Adlon and Wagner Moura, was finalized in late 2025. The first season consists of 10 episodes. It kicks off on April 6 with a two-episode premiere. Disney+ will release two new episodes every Monday, leading up to a grand finale on May 4 (Star Wars Day).
Edited by Suchita Patnaha
