Sam Witwer has a long-standing relationship with the Star Wars universe, starting with his work on the video game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. While he’s voiced many characters, he’s become particularly known for his portrayal of Maul. When Maul unexpectedly returned in The Clone Wars, Witwer’s powerful performance significantly boosted the character’s importance within the Star Wars story. He always had plenty of ideas for Maul’s development, but never had the chance to bring them to life – until now. With Maul – Shadow Lord, a series centered around the character, Witwer can finally explore those ideas.
While promoting his new show, Shadow Lord (coming to Disney+ April 6th), actor Witwer explained the journey his character undergoes. He said he got to explore “everything” during this transitional period in the character’s life. Witwer described how, in The Clone Wars, the character was focused on following Palpatine’s plans – building power and armies. But by Rebels, he’s an older man struggling to find purpose after feeling left behind by a changing world.
He explained that the story focuses on the character at the peak of his life, as he begins to think independently. To portray this authentically, it’s important to explore his vulnerabilities and inner struggles. He shared that he discussed potential challenges for the character with Dave years ago, and he’s pleased to see those struggles reflected in the current show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n54CgjMRY-o
Shadow Lord Will Show a Different Side of Maul
To avoid revealing plot details, Witwer didn’t share many specifics about his plans, which will likely be central to the main Shadow Lord storyline. However, he offered enough hints to create a compelling preview of what’s coming. This project marks the first time Darth Maul will be the main character in a Star Wars production, promising a fresh perspective on the character. Exploring Maul’s personal struggles could make for a truly captivating TV show, expanding on his established history.
During our conversation, Witwer stressed the importance of understanding Darth Maul’s motivations, even if we don’t condone his choices. He seems to be building Maul’s backstory with personal struggles to make him a more sympathetic and relatable character. This approach is similar to what many great crime films and TV shows do – they often feature flawed characters who pursue their goals, like finding acceptance or achieving wealth, through questionable means. These stories are compelling because they allow viewers to consider what they would do in a similar situation, creating a powerful connection with the character.
Trailers for Maul – Shadow Lord show the character driven by a deep desire for revenge against the Empire. Fueled by his hatred of his former master, Darth Sidious, Maul aims to dismantle the Empire, and this story will likely explore his personal battles. He’s grappling with complex feelings about being discarded after his defeat on Naboo. As Palpatine’s apprentice, he once imagined ruling the galaxy with the Emperor, but that future was taken from him. While his war against the Empire is, in a way, about proving his worth – something many can understand – his motivations are ultimately selfish and driven by a thirst for power.
The animated Star Wars series have transformed Darth Maul from a visually striking villain into a complex, sympathetic character. While other heroes took the lead in shows like The Clone Wars and Rebels, these series successfully added depth to his backstory. Now, the new series Shadow Lord promises to explore a previously unseen period in Maul’s life, as he attempts to establish a criminal empire and solidify his reputation. It’s likely that Shadow Lord will further enrich Maul’s story, making previous appearances in The Clone Wars and Rebels even more meaningful when rewatched.
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2026-04-02 16:10