‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’ Debuts With 100% on Rotten Tomatoes

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The latest Star Wars series is starting off very well. Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, which debuted on Disney+ today, April 6th, is getting excellent reviews, giving Lucasfilm a quick success for the franchise on television.

Dave Filoni created and, along with Matt Michnovetz, developed this 10-episode animated series. It delves into what happened to Maul during the early days of the Galactic Empire—years that were previously unknown. The story takes place about a year after the end of The Clone Wars and the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, bridging the gap between those stories and Maul’s eventual appearance in Star Wars Rebels. Currently, Shadow Lord has a 100% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

One reason fans enjoy the series so much might be its unique place in the Star Wars timeline. Unlike stories set during the height of the Rebellion or focused on Jedi, Maul – Shadow Lord centers on a character who’s already lost everything – his power, his lands, and his sense of purpose.

This approach allows Lucasfilm to develop storylines beyond a single, well-known villain, and will likely appeal to dedicated Star Wars fans, as the series is based on concepts originally developed by George Lucas. Sam Witwer once again provides the voice for Maul, and the cast includes Gideon Adlon as Devon Izara, Wagner Moura as detective Brander Lawson, Richard Ayoade as the droid Two-Boots, and Vanessa Marshall as Rook Kast.

Initial responses to the show are promising, with many appreciating its more serious tone. Our own review at MovieWeb was generally positive, praising the show’s vibrant visuals, compelling characters, and relevant themes, as well as its impressive animation. It’s important to remember that a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes means all reviewed critics approved, but doesn’t necessarily mean they all felt equally enthusiastic.

The show’s distinctive visual style is also a big attraction. Lucasfilm Animation is building on the 3D look of shows like The Clone Wars and The Bad Batch, but with a more modern and gritty feel. This style perfectly complements the story’s themes of crime, the growing Empire, and a galaxy becoming increasingly dangerous.

More episodes of Maul – Shadow Lord are on the way! Disney+ will now release two new episodes every Monday, and the first season will end with a special two-episode finale on May 4th. Plus, a second season is already being planned. To add even more to the story, a prequel comic called Star Wars: Shadow of Maul started coming out in March, focusing on the character Janix and other supporting characters from the show.

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2026-04-06 19:34