Lucasfilm has dropped the first official trailer for Maul: Shadow Lord, bringing Darth Maul back to the forefront of Star Wars storytelling with a bold new animated series that thrusts the former Sith Lord into the criminal underworld of the Empire's early reign. The footage captures Maul's signature intensity as he schemes to rebuild his shattered criminal syndicate on a remote planet far from Imperial oversight, all while taking on an apprentice who could reshape the dark side's future
Sam Witwer returns to voice the character he has defined across Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, delivering a performance that blends Maul's familiar rage with newfound cunning. Viewers get glimpses of high-stakes underworld dealings, brutal lightsaber clashes, and Maul's calculated moves to consolidate power among syndicates untouched by Palpatine's reach. Positioned in the timeline shortly after the Clone Wars' end, the series positions Maul as an independent operator, free from the Rule of Two's constraints and eager to carve his own legacy in the shadows.
Central to the trailer's excitement is the introduction of Maul's new apprentice, Darth Talon, a Force-sensitive figure who joins him in challenging the established Sith order. This partnership fuels the narrative's core conflict, exploring loyalty, ambition, and the dark side's seductive pull. As Maul mentors his protégé, the story probes deeper into his psyche, portraying him not just as a vengeful survivor but as a strategic force capable of defying Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader themselves. Produced by Lucasfilm Animation, the series draws from Maul's rich history while venturing into fresh territory, including the gritty realities of galactic crime and the consequences of forging alternative paths in the Force.
The plot unfolds on Janix, a world ripe for exploitation, where Maul recruits allies, crushes rivals, and trains his apprentice amid constant threats from bounty hunters and rival factions. The trailer teases intense action sequences alongside quieter moments of manipulation and revelation, highlighting Maul's evolution into a more complex figure driven by revenge and a hunger for dominion. This approach expands the Star Wars mythology by examining what happens when a fallen Sith rejects the master-apprentice dynamic imposed by Darth Bane's ancient code.
In addition to showcasing the series' tone and key characters, the trailer also revealed the official release date details, confirming that the two-episode premiere will arrive on Disney+ on April 6, 2026. This approach expands the Star Wars mythology by examining what happens when a fallen Sith rejects the master-apprentice dynamic imposed by Darth Bane's ancient code.
Who is Darth Talon?
Darth Talon, the new Sith apprentice unveiled in Maul: Shadow Lord, draws inspiration from the Star Wars: Legacy comic series set over a hundred years after the original trilogy. In that canon, she is depicted as a lethal Twi'lek with crimson skin covered in black Sith tattoos, embodying ruthless efficiency as an assassin and enforcer. Trained in the ways of the One Sith, Talon excels in combat, deception, and unwavering devotion, making her a standout character who blends physical prowess with psychological warfare.
For Maul: Shadow Lord, the character has been recontextualized into the Dark Times era, aligning her origins and abilities with the series' timeline while preserving her iconic design and deadly skill set. This adaptation shifts focus to her role as Maul's protégé, emphasizing her warrior heritage as a Twi'lek and the tensions that arise from serving a master who operates outside traditional Sith structures. Her presence introduces fresh dynamics, including cultural elements from her species and the dangers of pursuing power under a rogue Sith Lord, enriching the exploration of alternative dark side philosophies.
The series delivers a gritty, character-focused adventure that honors George Lucas' original visions for Maul while pushing the boundaries of Star Wars lore. With its blend of underworld intrigue, lightsaber duels, and moral ambiguity, Maul: Shadow Lord stands ready to offer fans a compelling look at one of the saga's most enduring villains.
The two-episode premiere of Maul: Shadow Lord will stream exclusively on Disney+ starting April 6, 2026. Following the initial release, two new episodes will drop each week, culminating in the season finale on May the 4th, for a total of 10 episodes.
