Star Wars brings back their coolest villain with the coolest lightsaber back from the shadows
Created by: Dave Filoni
Starring: Sam Witwer, Gideon Adlon, Wagner Moura
Rated TV-PG
Release Date: April 6, 2026 – May 4, 2026
This review may contain spoilers
From Phantom Menace to Shadow Lord
Darth Maul, although he’s just Maul now! He’s Star Wars’ most bad-ass-looking villain and they cannot stop bringing him back. Even after George Lucas got him cut in half and flailing down a bottomless chasm, this guy just doesn’t stay dead. Not even after they actually killed him!
What, you thought The Phantom Menace was his only moment? Go watch some Star Wars: The Clone Wars!
Maul – Shadow Lord
After the Empire has taken over the galaxy, Maul (voiced again by Sam Witwer) resurfaces, seeking to control the galaxy’s underworld crime syndicate (for the second time). The criminal world has been Maul’s thing since he was found insane in a garbage heap with spider robot legs. (Yes, Clone Wars again).
Maul also finds a surviving Jedi master and his young padawan (Jedi student), Devon (voiced by Gideon Adlon). Maul sees her as a padawan angry by her master’s peaceful teachings and the galaxy turning its back on the Jedi. A padawan who Maul sees as a potential apprentice…
May the Fourth Be with You
It’s surprising the show started in April, being so close to May 4th. May 4th is a big day for Star Wars fans – “May the fourth be with you” being a pun off the franchise’s quote “May the Force be with you.” May the fourth, may the Force. You get it.
Ah, but wait… the season finale falls right on May the 4th. Nice timing! It actually feels better to watch the end of the first season (or all of it at once for you binge watchers) on this most sacred of days for Star Wars nerds.
Yes, The Kaiz is a Star Wars nerd, too, but I’ll still call out other nerds.
Season 2!
Yeah, I did say the first season. Maul – Shadow Lord already has a greenlight for a second season. Hell yeah!
Sith Formerly Known as Darth
I was excited for a Darth Maul series, and Maul – Shadow Lord didn’t disappoint. With a great buildup to a long-running story, plus an epic battle during the last two episodes, there is a lot of promising potential.
Maul has grown from a creepy demon Sith hiding in the shadows to now being upfront and taking charge. Maybe sometimes a little chatty, he starts up these Shakespearean monologues a few times, but he’s been doing that since Rebels… and Clone Wars.
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is streaming on Disney+.
