The 20th Anniversary of Lucasfilm Animation panel at Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Japan did not disappoint as the next animated series Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord was revealed. The series is coming in 2026.
The new show will see the return of Sam Witwer, who has voiced Darth Maul ever since his return in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. According to StarWars.com, the show will be set after the events of The Clone Wars and looks to be focusing on Maul's Crimson Dawn years, which were revealed he was the leader of in Solo: A Star Wars Story. A sizzle reel celebrating 20 years was also released, featuring George Lucas discussing his love of the medium. At the very end of it, we get the smallest peek of Maul - Shadow Lord.
The article also promises that this will have a brand new animation style, which thank the Force for that. Look, I love The Clone Wars. It's what made me a Star Wars fan in the first place. But as someone who loves all animation, including Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Resistance, and the beauty that is Star Wars: Visions, I'm very sick of The Clone Wars style and so ready for something new. Lucasfilm Animation has been in the death grip of Clone Wars for so long, but that's another article for another time.
A new animated series ‘STAR WARS MAUL: SHADOW LORD’ will release in 2026.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 18, 2025
Follows Maul navigating life before the events of ‘Star Wars: Rebels’, including training a padawan. pic.twitter.com/zXL7UT2JwZ
Fans at Celebration Japan also got a first look at the new animation style as well as in-room reports saying that Maul will have an apprentice. They say she's a female Twi'lek, so of course there are rumors that this to be Darth Talon from Star Wars Legends coming into the canon. For now, we'll have to wait and see for more official reports. It's also reported that Maul will fight Marrok from Ahsoka Season 1.
A new animated series MAUL: SHADOW LORD has been announced.
— Star Wars Holocron @ SWCJ (@sw_holocron) April 18, 2025
A first trailer was shown and depicts Maul as he navigates life between the events of The Clone Wars and Rebels. The plot seems to focus on Maul training a new padawan after having a vision she can help him seek… pic.twitter.com/wHwqPSwsUB
Star Wars - Maul: Shadow Lord will arrive in 2026.