Sam Witwer reveals how Maul has changed in Maul, Lord of Shadows

Feb 27, 2026

In the penultimate episode of Star Wars Insider, Sam Witwer gives an insightful interview about the upcoming animated series Maul, Lord of Shadows. The new Star Wars series premieres April 6 on Disney+ and stars Witwer as a former Sith Lord on a new mission in a rapidly changing galaxy.

In the interview, Witwer explains Maul's motivation in the series, how he has changed since The Clone Wars, his unexpected relationship with the Jedi, the role Savage Opress will play in the series, the direction Dave Filoni gave to the series' creators, interesting behind-the-scenes tidbits, and much more.

What is Maul's state of mind and motives in the animeMaul - Lord of Shadows?

Sam Witwer, who has played Maul for 15 years, probably knows the Sith Lord turned crime lord better than anyone. That's why this Illinois native is a true expert on all things Maul, including how the character has changed (and stayed the same) in the new series.

“He’s confused and a little worried,” Witwer explained. “Set in the aftermath of theClone WarsThe Empire has taken over, and Maul is rethinking everything. Plans were made to protect him from change when the Empire came to power, but many of those who should have supported him did not. He comes to his senses, the dust settles, and he looks back at the Empire—what he and his master have strived for since he was an apprentice—and thinks, “Is this what Palpatine has in mind? What should I think about this?”

Witwer spoke in detail about Maul's new attitude towards Palpatine.“He’s very angry at Palpatine,” Witwer admitted. “Now he understands that this person is the root of his suffering.” InLord of Shadowshe sees this even more clearly. Everywhere he looks in the Empire, he sees Palpatine's hand. If Maul is going to shake his fist, it means he somehow considers himself superior to Palpatine. If this is not so, then he deserves everything that happened to him.”

“In the new series, he is still the same ruthless and dangerous character - if you cross his path, you are finished.”

Witwer reveals that as Maul begins to reimagine the Empire created by Palpatine, he pursues his own ambitions. “In the early episodes, you see him pulling the strings, trying to create a new power base,” Witwer explains. “His plan is ambitious, but he struggles with the question of whether he is the puppet master or the one who decides everything himself. He delegates poorly. He is so used to doing everything personally that he often takes matters into his own hands, even when he shouldn't. Delegation is a very difficult task. He doesn't trust easily.”

Although Maul is not inclined to trust people easily, he relies on the Mandalorian Ruk Kast (voiced by Vanessa Marshall) as his first lieutenant. “Rook Kast is his first lieutenant, and their relationship is interesting because Maul really listens to her,” Witwer said. “He realized that people have valuable points of view and that, unlike Palpatine, he sometimes needs to hear bad news.So he tries to understand what it really means to be a shadow lord."

Witwer discusses how Maul's psyche has changed in the new series, but notes that "he's still the same ruthless and dangerous figure - if you cross him, you're screwed."

How Maul's conflict with Ahsoka in Season 7 of The Clone Warschanged him forever...

We last saw Maul in the acclaimed "Siege of Mandalore" arc of the Clone Wars series. The defeat at the hands of Ahsoka Tano was just the latest setback in Maul's grand plans for the galaxy, and it appears to have had a lasting impact on the Zabrak.

“He told Ahsoka the truth [about Palpatine’s plans],” Witwer said. “Everything he said was true, and he was the only character who had a workable plan when the Empire was about to come to power. He just ruined everything.”

“This show pits bad guys against even worse guys, and Maul is on the bad guy side of the equation.”

Witwer continued: “He's learned to fight in other ways in this new series. He learns to use words, manipulation, persuasion. He understands that behind every action there is responsibility. This is new territory for Maul.”

Maul's surprising new stance on the Jedi: "We could use a Jedi Knight or two."

In the movieStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom MenaceMaul hated the Jedi with a passion.One of his few lines in the entire film was dedicated to his desire to “revenge” and defeat the Jedi once and for all. And yet, despite all the problems Maul has faced at the hands of the Jedi, inMaul - Lord of Shadowshe sees them differently.

“He was taught to hate and destroy the Jedi, never questioning them,” Witwer said. "Now he looks at the galaxy and thinks, 'We could use a Jedi Knight or two.' At least with the Jedi you knew whose side they were on. There was something about them that deserved respect. In this Empire he does not see any values, only an undisguised thirst for influence, power and money. The principles have disappeared. And he looks at it with a certain disgust. He may not have agreed with the Jedi Knights, but at least they had principles. You knew who you were dealing with and could talk about it. It is impossible to reason with the Empire.”

Savage Opress' role in Maul - Dark Lord's role revealed

Maul experienced many tragedies throughout his life, but few compare to the devastation caused by the murder of his brother Savage Opress at the hands of Darth Sidious. In an interview with Star Wars Insider, Witwer explained that Maul has not forgotten Savage in the new series.

“You won't dare bring this character back if you don't have anything interesting to say.”

"He's trying to figure out who he is and also thinking about his brother, Savage Opress, his first student and family," Witwer said. “Did he treat him as well as he should have, given Savage’s loyalty? No.But now he finally appreciates it and understands: “I failed him.”

Dave Filoni's mandate forMaul, Lord of Shadowsand the unique creative role of Sam Witwer

It appears that director Brad Rau, head writer Matt Michnovec and executive producer Athena Yvette Portillo, among others, have recognized that Witwer has much more to offer in the new series than just voice acting.

In a new interview, Witwer explained that he and other creative people developed a storyline that was not originally in the script. "We came up with this storyline that wasn't in the script, and what came out of it is one of my favorite things we've ever done with this character," Witwer admitted. “It’s weird, emotional and totallyStar Wars.”

Witwer's behind-the-scenes role was further developed when the actor revealed that he shot footage for Lucasfilm Animation's visual artists, who then did the animation. “We tried things you wouldn't imagine, like shooting reference footage for difficult, emotional scenes so the animators could see how my eyes and facial expressions worked,” Witwer said.

Series creator and executive producer Dave Filoni, recently announced as the new co-president of Lucasfilm, gave Sam Witwer and the rest of the creative team the task of creating Maul: Lord of Shadows. “Dave Filoni gave us the task of making everything better: the acting, the writing, the story, the cinematography, the sound,” said Witwer.“He told us to take everything to the next level.”

Witwer concluded the interview with a powerful statement that's sure to get even the most skeptical Star Wars fans excited for the new series. “We all wanted this to be the best thing we ever did.”

The premiere of the film “Maul – Lord of Shadows” will take place on April 6 on Disney+.