Star Wars has unveiled a first look at Darth Maul from the upcoming animated TV show Maul: Shadow Lord. Even George Lucas knew he made a mistake killing Darth Maul, and the Sith Apprentice was resurrected in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Maul’s story is set to continue in an animated spinoff next year, Maul: Shadow Lord.

Lucasfilm unveiled a new look at Maul: Shadow Lord at San Diego Comic-Con:

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Darth Sidious’ former apprentice is shown with his signature double-bladed lightsaber, and it’s interesting to note that his new outfit eschews the traditional hooded look of the Sith. The background is fascinating, with the blood-red colors perhaps signifying a connection to Crimson Dawn, a crime cartel he established during this period.

Maul: Shadow Lord Will Make History For Star Wars

Maul: Shadow Lord is a first for Star Wars; a TV show that actually stars a villain rather than a hero. But Maul will still be more of a protagonist than is usually the case; he’s attempting to survive in the shadow of far greater evils. This is post-Order 66, at a time when Palpatine and Darth Vader ruled.

Solo: A Star Wars Story revealed that Maul re-established his role as a crime boss during the Dark Times of the Empire’s reign. But Maul had a simple goal; he wanted to overthrow the Sith, getting revenge on Darth Sidious. The criminal empire known as Crimson Dawn was intended to be his tool to do so.

Our Take On Star Wars’ Most Surprising Clone Wars Spinoff

Voiced by Sam Witwer in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Maul has become one of the most important villains in the franchise. He’s an enemy both for the heroes and the villains, a third force who complicated the galactic conflict and whose survival actually wrong-footed Palpatine himself.

There have always been large gaps in Darth Maul’s timeline, made all the more curious because of Solo‘s brief glimpse of the one-time Sith. Maul: Shadow Lord will presumably work to clear up some of these, helping viewers understand how he became a key player during the Dark Times too.

Lucasfilm is yet to give an indication of just when Maul: Shadow Lord will release. Star Wars is in a quiet period right now, but 2026 promises to be an exciting year, with The Mandalorian & Grogu, Ahsoka season 2, and Maul: Shadow Lord.