Star Wars fans have waited years for a true successor to The Clone Wars, and Lucasfilm is finally answering the call with Maul: Shadow Lord, an animated series set to debut on Disney+ in 2026.
The show centers on Darth Maul, voiced by Sam Witwer, as he navigates the galaxy in the years following the Clone Wars and the rise of the Empire.
Maul’s story is one of the most compelling in the Star Wars universe, and this new series promises to dive deep into his transformation from Sith Lord to underworld kingpin, exploring the consequences of his actions during the Clone Wars era.
Announced at Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo, Maul: Shadow Lord was revealed with an exclusive sizzle reel that showcased a new animation style while staying true to the look and feel of The Clone Wars.
The series is set in the early days of the Empire, a time when the galaxy is changing rapidly, and the color of the universe is being sucked out, according to Witwer. Maul, who played a pivotal role in shaping the events that led to the Empire’s rise, is forced to confront the reality of the galaxy he helped create.
The show will explore his internal struggles as he questions whether the Empire is truly what he envisioned and whether his efforts were worth the cost.
Maul’s journey in Maul: Shadow Lord is set to take viewers through uncharted territory in the Star Wars timeline. The series will explore Maul’s activities between the end of The Clone Wars and his reappearance in Solo: A Star Wars Story, a period that has been largely unexplored in canon.
This era is crucial for understanding how Maul transitioned from a powerful Sith Lord to the leader of Crimson Dawn, a criminal syndicate that plays a significant role in the Star Wars universe.
Filling the Gaps in the Star Wars Timeline
One of the most exciting aspects of Maul: Shadow Lord is its potential to fill in gaps in the Star Wars timeline that fans have long wanted addressed.
The series will bridge the story between The Clone Wars and Maul’s appearance in Solo: A Star Wars Story, providing a deeper look at his activities during the years between the two films.
This period has been largely unexplored in canon, and the show promises to shed light on Maul’s role as the leader of Crimson Dawn, his interactions with other underworld factions, and his evolving relationship with the Empire.
The show’s creators have emphasized the importance of authenticity, drawing from all available canon sources to ensure that Maul: Shadow Lord fits seamlessly into the Star Wars universe . The series will also introduce new characters and story arcs, expanding the supernatural world that surrounds Maul and his allies.
Maul: Shadow Lord will also explore the emotional and psychological toll of Maul’s transformation. As he grapples with the consequences of his actions, viewers will see a more vulnerable and complex side of the character.
Maul: Shadow Lord (Credit: Disney+)
This closer examination of Maul’s psyche will give fans a richer, more nuanced portrayal of one of the Star Wars universe’s most iconic characters.
What Fans Can Expect
Maul: Shadow Lord is not just a continuation of The Clone Wars; it’s a bold new chapter that promises to deliver the story fans have been waiting for since Episode I. The show will explore themes of identity, legacy, and the price of power, with Maul at the center of a galaxy that is constantly evolving.
The animation style, while new, will remain faithful to the look and feel of The Clone Wars, ensuring that fans feel right at home.
The series is also expected to feature a mix of action, drama, and supernatural thrills, with Maul’s journey serving as the driving force behind the narrative.
The show’s creators are committed to honoring the spirit of The Clone Wars while taking bold risks to keep the story fresh and relevant. For fans, this means a series that is both familiar and innovative, with new surprises and challenges around every corner.
As Maul: Shadow Lord prepares to premiere, the Star Wars universe continues to expand and evolve. The show’s creators are dedicated to telling stories that are both faithful to the original material and relevant to contemporary audiences.
For fans of The Clone Wars, this new chapter promises both familiar thrills and fresh surprises, as the galaxy far, far away continues to grow and change.
The series will also introduce new characters and story arcs, expanding the supernatural world that surrounds Maul and his allies. By focusing on Maul’s journey, the show aims to provide a fresh perspective on the events that shaped the galaxy, offering fans a deeper understanding of the forces at play during the rise of the Empire.
Maul: Shadow Lord is set to be a landmark addition to the Star Wars animated universe, delivering the story fans have been waiting for since Episode I.
The show will explore themes of identity, legacy, and the price of power, with Maul at the center of a galaxy that is constantly evolving. The animation style, while new, will remain faithful to the look and feel of The Clone Wars, ensuring that fans feel right at home.
The White Lotus is officially trading in its beachside resorts for the sun-kissed hills and historic boulevards of France.
HBO’s smash-hit anthology series, known for its razor-sharp satire and murder-mystery intrigue, has confirmed that Season 4 will unfold across two of the country’s most iconic destinations: Paris and the French Riviera.
This marks the show’s second European outing, following the Sicilian setting of Season 2, and comes as a direct response to creator Mike White’s desire to break away from the “crashing waves against rocks” aesthetic that defined the previous three seasons.
Filming is expected to center on luxury hotels in the South of France, with the legendary Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat and Le Lutetia in Paris rumored as frontrunners for the primary locations. These settings promise a blend of Riviera glamour and Parisian elegance, with the potential for new layers of class tension and cultural collision.
The shift also signals a move away from the show’s longstanding partnership with Four Seasons, opening the door for a wider variety of opulent backdrops.
New Faces, Familiar Themes
The first confirmed cast members for Season 4 are Alexander Ludwig, best known for his role in Vikings, and AJ Michalka, a familiar face from The Goldbergs. Both are expected to play pivotal roles, though specific character details remain under wraps.
Rumors also suggest that Oscar nominee Helena Bonham Carter is in early talks for a starring role, adding to the anticipation for a cast that could blend fresh talent with returning faces from past seasons.
While there’s no official word yet on which characters from earlier seasons will return, the show’s tradition of bringing back select actors often in unexpected ways leaves room for surprise.
Parker Posey, who played Victoria Ratliff in Season 3, has publicly expressed uncertainty about her involvement, but fans are speculating that Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya McQuoid could make a ghostly return, perhaps as a hallucination or flashback.
Season 4 is expected to continue the series’ exploration of privilege, power, and moral ambiguity, but with a fresh angle. Themes of celebrity culture, corporate excess, and generational divides are all in play, with Mike White hinting at a deeper look at the “ridiculousness of fame” and the hidden turmoil behind the glamorous facade.
The White Lotus Season 4 (Credit: HBO)
The Paris subplot could also bring in issues of urban isolation and the pressures of modern life, while the Riviera’s opulence sets the stage for another round of deadly secrets and simmering resentments.
What to Expect: Satire, Scandal, and Social Commentary
The White Lotus has always been more than just a murder mystery; it’s a cultural mirror, reflecting the excesses and anxieties of the world’s wealthiest travelers. Season 4’s move to France promises to amplify this, with the country’s own complex relationship with luxury, history, and social inequality providing fertile ground for satire.
Expect a mix of personal drama, corporate intrigue, and social critique, as the show’s signature blend of dark humor and moral complexity finds new life against the backdrop of French art, fashion, and cuisine.
The inclusion of Paris could also bring a sharper focus on the intersection of global celebrity and local culture, while the Riviera’s legacy of glamour and scandal sets the tone for another season of secrets, betrayals, and, of course, more than a few dead bodies.
As with past seasons, the show is likely to explore how privilege shapes behavior, and how even the most beautiful settings can’t hide the rot beneath. Whether it’s through the lens of a corporate retreat, a family legacy, or the fallout from fame, The White Lotus continues to hold up a funhouse mirror to the world’s elite.
Final Thoughts
With Season 4, The White Lotus isn’t just changing its scenery; it’s challenging its audience to see familiar themes through a new cultural lens. The move to France, the introduction of new cast members, and the promise of fresh storylines all signal that the show remains as sharp and unpredictable as ever.
As fans wait for more casting news and the first glimpses of the season, one thing is clear: the White Lotus is ready to check into a new chapter of scandal, satire, and
