‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’ release schedule revealed as first episodes drop

Darth Maul returns to centre stage in Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, the latest addition to the expanding Star Warsuniverse.

The animated series premiered on April 6 on Disney+ with a two-episode debut, marking the first time the fan-favourite character leads his own show.

Set after the events of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the story follows Maul as he navigates a galaxy reshaped by the fall of the Jedi and the rise of Imperial power.

Maul first appeared in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and quickly became a cult favourite despite limited screen time, later gaining deeper development through animated series.

The show marks a notable shift for the franchise, placing a long-time villain at the centre of the story rather than following the traditional Jedi-led narrative. Shadow Lord is also expected to lean into darker themes, exploring power, survival and identity in a post-Sith world.

Early reactions from fans have already begun surfacing online, with viewers sharing first impressions of the series’ tone and Maul’s expanded storyline.

The first two episodes of Star Wars: Maul-Shadow Lord were so awesome! Such a strong start. The animation is as flawless as ever. The lightsaber fight sequences were amazing. The dialogue was incredible. So glad to have this legend back🙌🏽🔥#MaulShadowLord pic.twitter.com/SKtNKfdrxH

— Giselle//DD: BORN AGAIN S2 ERA💥⏳ 💍💫 (@giselleb1234) April 6, 2026

#MaulShadowLord can’t escape a few Filoni issues (tangled lore, jingly keys, Maul the least interesting lead on his own show) but it’s a big leap forward for #StarWars animation in terms of visual look and mature tone. More compelling than expected but STRICTLY for devoted fans. pic.twitter.com/wdalSeEBSr

— Jakob Kolness (@JakobKolness) April 4, 2026

Rather than a single weekly release, the series will drop episodes in pairs, with the 10-episode season rolling out across five weeks.

The full release schedule is as follows:

• Episodes 1 and 2 — April 6
• Episodes 3 and 4 — April 13
• Episodes 5 and 6 — April 20
• Episodes 7 and 8 — April 27
• Episodes 9 and 10 — May 4

The finale lands on May 4, widely celebrated as Star Wars Day, giving the series a fitting close.

With its focus on Maul’s journey beyond the Sith, Shadow Lord is set to explore a darker and more layered side of one of the franchise’s most enduring characters, something fans have been waiting years to see.