I’ll be honest, it’s felt like we’ve been waiting for this news forever. At least I have been waiting for this news forever. After years of seeing him pop up in cameos or guest arcs, we’re actually getting a dedicated series featuring everyone’s favorite red and black Sith, Darth Maul, with Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord, release on April 6, 2026 on Disney+.
I still clearly remember sitting in the theater as a kid in 1999 when The Phantom Menace came out. That first look at the red and black tattoos was just different. Even back then, before he had much of a backstory, there was something about the character that stuck. He was the single coolest character brought to screen in the Star Wars universe since Boba Fett.
The Best "Secondary" Character?
For years we have been teased with appearances since he was cut in half by a young Obi Wan Kenobi. He’s popped up in The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels and Solo, but never has he had a dedicated piece of visual medium like he is getting now!
Through his many appearances, it was Star Wars Rebels that really solidified him as a top-tier character. Seeing him as this "Old Master" figure—kind of a broken, desperate survivor, added a lot of depth that I didn't expect when I first saw him wielding a double-bladed saber as a kid. It wasn't just about being a "cool villain" anymore; it was about his obsession and his struggle to find a place in a galaxy that had moved on without him - his character has now been a victim of some great character writing!
What to Expect from Shadow Lord
With a title like Shadow Lord, it seems like we’re finally going to dig into the parts of his life that happened off-camera. I’m curious to see how they handle it. A few things I’m keeping an eye on:
The Criminal Element: Seeing the rise of Crimson Dawn from his perspective could be a great way to bridge the gap between the movies.
A Slower Pace: Since it’s a dedicated show, I’m hoping we get more dialogue and character development rather than just non-stop lightsaber duels (though a few of those wouldn’t hurt).
The Psychological Side: Maul has always been fueled by loss and revenge. Seeing how that actually wears on a person over time could make for some really grounded storytelling.
It’s just nice to see a character with this much history finally get the space to lead a story. It feels like a win for the fans who saw that brief flash of red and black decades ago and knew there was more to the story.
What are looking forward to the most in Shadow Lord? Leave a comment to discuss!