A new chapter in the Star Wars timeline is officially underway.
Disney+ has unveiled the first teaser trailer and poster for the upcoming animated series, Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord, giving fans an early glimpse at a darker corner of the galaxy shaped by crime, power, and unfinished vendettas.
Set shortly after the events of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the series follows Maul as he attempts to rebuild his criminal empire during the early years of Emperor Palpatine’s rule.
The story unfolds on Janix, a gritty city-planet that has so far avoided direct Imperial control. From that base, Maul begins maneuvering through the galaxy’s underworld while crossing paths with a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan whose future—and loyalties—are far from settled.
The show premieres April 6, 2026, with a two-episode debut, followed by two episodes each week leading into a May 4 finale. In total, the season will span 10 episodes over five weeks, leaning into a fully serialized structure.
Supervising director Brad Rau described the approach as “very connected all the way through,” while executive producer Matt Michnovetz added that the pacing is intentionally relentless, designed to feel like a fast-moving thrill ride.
Maul is once again voiced by Sam Witwer, who has portrayed the character across multiple Star Wars projects. This time around, Maul is no longer operating as a Sith apprentice, but as a strategist navigating shifting alliances, internal conflicts, and a galaxy that no longer fits neatly into light and dark.
The voice cast also includes Gideon Adlon as Devon Izara, Wagner Moura as Captain Brander Lawson, and Richard Ayoade as the droid Two-Boots. Several of these characters will also appear in an upcoming Marvel Comics prequel series that further explores Janix and its power dynamics.
Visually, Maul — Shadow Lord pushes the animation style forward by blending modern CG with traditional techniques.
Executive producer Athena Portillo explained that the team returned to hand-painted elements, including brush strokes on glass and matte paintings on canvas, to give the series a more tactile, cinematic feel.
Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord premieres April 6, 2026.
