Lucasfilm Animation's new series 'Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord' offers rare look at storied villain

An all-new animated series from Lucasfilm Animation, "Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord," is streaming now on Disney+.

This series takes us deep into the mind of one of franchise's most vengeful Dark Side warriors in a way we've never seen before.

"This is another lens into the Star Wars universe, and perhaps a little bit of a more dangerous lens into the Star Wars universe," says Sam Witwer, who has been the voice of the antagonist Maul for the past 15 years.

In "Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord," we find the former Sith Lord shortly after the Clone Wars, plotting to rebuild his Crimson Dawn crime syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire.

"The existence of the show was a huge surprise to me," says Witwer. "I didn't think that we were ever going to break into Maul's thoughts as as closely as we have in this show. It's a risky thing. It's the first time that Star Wars is taking a villain, and one of the worst, and saying: 'Now we're going to see his perspective on things and blur the lines between protagonist and antagonist.'"

Maul crosses paths with a disillusioned Jedi Padawan named Devon, voiced by Star Wars newcomer Gideon Adlon.

"I already really love this world, and I feel protective of it," says Adlon.

Maul seeks to recruit Devon as an apprentice in his relentless pursuit for revenge.

"This one feels quite like weirdly adult and extremely artistic, and it's very deep," Adlon adds.

The creators say the series also features some of the most elaborate action scenes ever attempted in Lucasfilm animation.

"The action in particular is astounding," says Brad Rau, Executive Producer and Supervising Director. "There are multiple lightsaber fights that just keep topping the one before."

"There are cliffhangers with every episode," adds Executive Producer Athena Yvette Portillo.

"It's a non-stop roller coaster thrill ride," says Executive Producer and Writer Matt Michnovetz.

"Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord" is streaming now on Disney+.

Two episodes will premiere each week, with the final two airing on the ultimate Star Wars holiday, May the 4th.