Chains can be broken. Empires can be shattered. That’s the ominous message heralding the arrival of the teaser trailer for Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, the newest animated series coming to Disney+ on April 6, 2026.
The series kicks off with a two-episode premiere and will run over five weeks with two episodes dropping weekly, culminating in a finale on Star Wars Day — May the 4th.
Watch the trailer below and check out images and a new poster.
Maul Returns for Revenge
Set shortly after the events of The Clone Wars, Shadow Lord follows the former Sith Lord Maul (voiced once again by Sam Witwer) as he sets his sights on rebuilding his criminal syndicate in a dark, gritty metropolis called Janix — a planet untouched by the Empire. The series introduces a new Jedi Padawan, Devon Izara (voiced by Gideon Adlon), who becomes central to Maul’s plan for vengeance.
Maul may no longer be Darth, but his ambitions remain as ruthless as ever. The teaser hints at a more introspective Maul, showcasing moments of quiet intensity — including a ceremonial tea scene — interspersed with brutal action and political maneuvering in the criminal underworld.
New Faces, Familiar Threats
The voice cast includes:
- Sam Witwer as Maul
- Gideon Adlon as Devon Izara
- Wagner Moura as Captain Brander Lawson
- Richard Ayoade as Two-Boots
- Dennis Haysbert as Master Eeko-Dio-Daki
- Vanessa Marshall as Rook Kast
- Charlie Bushnell as Rylee Lawson
- Chris Diamantopoulos, David W. Collins, A.J. LoCascio, and Steve Blum round out the supporting cast.
Notably, the series brings in Marrok, the mysterious inquisitor introduced in Ahsoka, as well as the feared Inquisitorius, hinting at a major showdown between Maul, Imperial agents, and Force-sensitive survivors of Order 66.
The World of Janix
Via StarWars.com, the city of Janix is described as “one part Gotham, one part Metropolis, and a hundred percent Star Wars.” Built into a crater and free from direct Imperial rule, Janix is a haven for syndicates and smugglers — until Maul arrives to stir the pot.
Executive producers Brad Rau and Matt Michnovetz emphasize the serialized nature of the story, with the series designed as a fast-paced, pulpy thriller inspired by classic film serials. The show will explore Maul’s shifting ideology, power plays, and relationship with Devon — a young Jedi forced to question everything she once believed.
Painterly Animation Style
Visually, Shadow Lord marks a major leap forward. Cinematography Lighting & VFX Director Joel Aron returned to classic techniques — using real brushstrokes on glass and matte paintings — to blend tactile texture into the animation. The result is a uniquely stylized Star Wars aesthetic that nods to the past while pushing technical boundaries.
Animation director Keith Kellogg and the CGCG team also worked to enhance facial expressions and movement fidelity across characters.
Filoni’s Dark Star Wars Vision
Created and developed by Star Wars veteran Dave Filoni and Matt Michnovetz, with Brad Rau as supervising director, Shadow Lord expands on Filoni’s vision of the post-Clone Wars era. Executive producers also include Athena Portillo, Carrie Beck, and Josh Rimes.
While the series isn’t Maul’s first animated adventure, it promises to be his most personal, philosophical, and dangerous yet — diving deep into a character defined by pain, ambition, and the shadows he refuses to leave behind.
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord premieres April 6, 2026, only on Disney+ with two episodes, followed by two per week until the finale on May 4th.
