On 6 April 2026, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord premiered on Disney+ with a two-episode debut.
The animated series will consist of 10 episodes, with the finale set to air on 4 May.
So far, six episodes have been released, and the response has been largely positive. Fans seem to be enjoying the story and overall direction of the series.
Film News Blitz‘s Jonathon House writes about the latest addition to the Star Wars saga.
What is ‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’ about?
The story picks up shortly after Order 66, as former Sith Lord Darth Maul seeks vengeance against those who wronged him.
The series follows Maul as he attempts to rebuild his criminal empire.
Along the way, Maul targets a potential apprentice, a fugitive Jedi named Devon Izara, which adds tension and depth to the storyline.
Striking the perfect tone
The tone of the series works extremely well.
It embraces a dark, gritty atmosphere that focuses heavily on its characters.
Visually, this is some of the best-looking Star Wars animation we’ve had in a while.
Everything from the lighting to the environments feels mysterious and intense, perfectly matching Maul’s character.
The series is set on a planet called Janix, which has a similar vibe to Gotham City, adding to its dark and gritty feel.
Maul’s background and rise
Maul first appeared in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, where fans instantly took to him.
He quickly became an iconic character, perhaps not on the same level as Darth Vader, but still hugely popular.
His double-bladed lightsaber stood out, and many fans were disappointed when he was seemingly killed off by Obi-Wan Kenobi.
However, Maul was later brought back in the animated series The Clone Wars.
He returned in Season 4, Episode 21, where it was revealed that he had survived, initially with spider-like legs.
The Nightsisters helped him recover, and by the end of the season, he had been fitted with robotic legs.
Since then, Maul has appeared several times in animated series and even made a live-action appearance at the end of Solo: A Star Wars Story.
He has featured prominently in both The Clone Wars and Rebels.
In this new series, Maul harbours a deep hatred for the Empire and seeks revenge against it.
Season 2 officially confirmed
Although there are still four episodes left in Season 1, a second season has already been confirmed.
For a long time, Star Wars fans have wanted a Maul spin-off, and now they finally have one.
With more episodes still to come and another season on the way, fans have plenty to look forward to.
READ NEXT – What’s next for ‘Doctor Who’ after the 2026 Christmas Special?
