Darth Maul Returns: Disney+ Unveils Groundbreaking 2026 Series!

by

Although Star Wars: The Clone Wars concluded in 2020, there’s still more tale to be spun for a specific character. Making history within the Star Wars universe, an antagonist from the Clone Wars is carrying forward his narrative in a standalone animated series on Disney+.

2025’s Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo unveiled exciting news for me as an ardent fan – a new animated series focusing on the enigmatic Darth Maul, titled “Maul—Shadow Lord“, is set to debut on Disney+ in 2026. This groundbreaking move marks the first instance of a chiefly animated antagonist starring in his own show, delving deeper and expanding upon the rich history laid out in The Clone Wars, blending elements of semi-sequel and spin-off narratives.

Based on what Sam Witwer, the longtime voice actor of Maul, shared via Variety, the story “Maul – Shadow Lord” is set approximately one year after Ahsoka sent Maul packing in the finale of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. In a behind-the-scenes video (you can watch it here), you can see how their intense duel unfolded. Witwer also hinted that we’ll discover some new aspects about this character as Palpatine’s former apprentice is picking himself up and dusting off, revealing fresh insights to the audience.

He has certain unique characteristics that might not be immediately apparent, but they become perfectly understandable once you know his background.

Darth Maul initially appeared in live-action during “The Phantom Menace” (1999), where it seemed he was killed by Obi-Wan Kenobi. Later, the character was revived for “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” with further stories being told about him in “Star Wars Rebels.” This series takes place before “A New Hope.” Additionally, Maul has made appearances in other Star Wars projects that happened prior to “Rebels,” such as a live-action cameo in “Solo: A Star Wars Story.

The time period separating “Revenge of the Sith,” “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” and the original Star Wars trilogy has opened up a wealth of opportunities for storytelling. Consequently, “Maul—Shadow Lord” is not the first to delve into the events and plotlines initiated by “The Clone Wars,” but its standalone series will undoubtedly provide a unique viewpoint.

The Clone Wars:

This way, the sentence is more readable, easy to understand, and maintains the information provided in the original statement.

6 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Disney+ Sequels & Spin-offs

Star Wars: The Bad Batch

In the wake of the happenings in “Revenge of the Sith,” “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” followed the trend set by “The Clone Wars” by giving depth to clone troopers and offering a glimpse into their experiences surrounding Order 66, its aftermath, and life post-Republic fall. This three-season series also reintroduced characters from the “Clone Wars” era such as Asajj Ventress (raising questions about her comeback and its impact on Star Wars canon), Rex, Palpatine, Cad Bane, and Saw Gerrera.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

As a fan following the Obi-Wan Kenobi live-action series, I find myself immersed in a tale that unfolds a decade after The Clone Wars’ finale. Ewan McGregor’s leadership brings together elements from both the prequels and the animated series, delving into the post-Order 66 era of the Jedi. Additionally, the 2022 series features a Clone trooper hailing from the Clone Wars era (specifically a member of the 501st legion), weaving their heart-wrenching narrative into live-action storytelling for the first time.

Andor

A Star Wars Story.” This popular two-season production delves into the origins of the rebellion and sheds light on the political intricacies within the Empire, as seen in “The Clone Wars.” Additionally, it introduces Saw Gerrera, portrayed by Forest Whitaker, a character initially presented in the Lucasfilm Animation series.

Tales of the Jedi

As a passionate moviegoer, I can’t help but share my excitement about the 2022 release, “Tales of the Jedi.” This captivating anthology comprises six mesmerizing shorts that serve as both a precursor and an aftermath to the epic saga, “The Clone Wars.” These tales delve deeper into the adventures of our beloved characters, Ahsoka Tano (portrayed by Ashley Eckstein), and Count Dooku (voiced by Corey Burton).

Tales of the Empire

In 2023, the sequel to “Tales of the Jedi”, titled “Tales of the Empire”, was introduced. Similar to its predecessor, it presented six short stories and showcased characters from “The Clone Wars”, including Barriss Offee. As in “The Clone Wars”, Barriss, once a friend to Ahsoka, betrayed the Jedi Order and falsely accused Ahsoka of attacking the Jedi Temple. This accusation played a role in Ahsoka’s Padawan deciding to leave the Order as seen in “The Clone Wars”.

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld

In May 2025, “Tales of the Underworld” debuted, maintaining the six-episode structure of its predecessors while centering around two renowned bounty hunters from “The Clone Wars“, Asajj Ventress (Nika Futterman) and Cad Bane (Corey Burton). The latter’s background, however, took fans by surprise.

Maul—Shadow Lord arrives on Disney+ in 2026.

Read More

2025-07-16 06:06