Disney+'s 2-Part Clone Wars Sequel Is Star Wars' Best Villain Story

Published Nov 14, 2026, 8:00 PM EST El is a Junior TV Features Editor for ScreenRant, with previous experience as The Mary Sue's UK and Weekend Editor. She holds a Bachelor's in International Media and Entertainment Management, as well as an MA and Ph.D. in Creative Writing. There is little she loves more than discussing her favorite TV shows with fellow fans. One day, she hopes to publish an original fantasy novel. Disney+'s two-part Star Wars: The Clone Wars sequel features the franchise's best villain story. Star Wars is renowned for its villains and antagonists; they play a massive role in the galaxy's storytelling, often eclipsing the most revered Rebel fighters and wise Jedi leaders. Emperor Palpatine, Darth Vader, the Inquisitors, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Kylo Ren, Marchion Ro, Count Dooku, General Grievous, Orson Krennic, Grand Moff Tarkin, and more play a pivotal role in Star Wars. They're genuinely terrifying adversaries who, crucially, win just as often as they lose. The heroes aren't always guaranteed victory. That's what makes these villains so memorable. And yet, as is often the case in fantastical storytelling, many of Star Wars' villains are one-dimensional. After all, what does Palpatine's childhood matter when he succeeded in destroying the Republic? Aside from pre-Vader Anakin Skywalker and Kylo Ren, few major Star Wars villains have been explored with the same depth as the heroes. The most notable exception is Darth Maul, a character introduced with so much potential that George Lucas himself ordered his resurrection after his seemingly final death in Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace. Since his return in Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 4, Maul has become one of the galaxy's most influential characters, a criminal mastermind and a true thorn in Palpatine's side — so much so that the Sith Lord traveled across the galaxy to kill him in The Clone Wars season 5, episode 16, "The Lawless." More importantly, though, Maul isn't just some evil, soulless overlord, fixated on galactic domination. No, Maul is far more complicated than that, as his very own animated series, Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord, proves better than even the best episodes of The Clone Wars. Maul - Shadow Lord Shows A Different Side Of The Star Wars Villain Credit: Disney+ via MovieStillsDB Set soon after Maul's narrow Order 66 escape in The Clone Wars season 7, Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord follows Maul rebuilding his criminal empire. It's an ideal time for lawlessness as, planet by planet, the Empire's oppression suffocates the galaxy, with people increasingly desperate for freedom and resources. This is years before the Rebellion's rise to power as depicted in Andor and Star Wars Rebels, closer to the events of Star Wars: The Bad Batch and a precursor to Solo: A Star Wars Story. Even more interesting than Maul's illegal aspirations is the way the story explores his past trauma and even his grief. Those who've watched both The Clone Wars and Shadow Lord in their entirety will know Palpatine was responsible not only for tearing Maul away from his homeworld when the Zabrak was still a young innocent, but also for later slaughtering Maul's brother, Savage Opress — right in front of him. Maul openly grieves his brother in Shadow Lord. He even questions if he treated him well enough. How many Star Wars villains have been given that level of emotional depth? Shadow Lord also goes so far as to address the torment Palpatine inflicted on Maul during his apprenticeship, both physically and mentally. One of the show's most heart-wrenching sequences sees Maul reliving his traumatic past. By the end, Maul even sheds a genuine tear, a physical representation of the pain, anger, and self-loathing he's been forced to carry every day since Palpatine's grooming began. That doesn't mean the show forgets Maul is a genuine villain, a master manipulator and a killer in his own right. Shadow Lord makes Maul the hero of his own story, however, giving audiences a different perspective on one of the franchise's most enduring characters. It's easy to hate Maul when Ahsoka Tano duels him on Mandalore, when he hunts Obi-Wan Kenobi. Is it just as easy to hate him when he feels guilty about his brother? Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord's approach to the character is unlike anything Star Wars has ever done for its villains before. Shadow Lord Season 2 Will Give Maul A New Role In Star Wars Since his near-death experience, Maul has desperately wanted one thing: an apprentice. For a brief while, he had his brother. Then he offered Ahsoka a place by his side in The Clone Wars. Years later, in Star Wars Rebels, Maul tried to persuade Ezra Bridger to join his cause, setting the young Padawan on a path to the dark side that nearly destroyed him. Now, in Shadow Lord's season 1 finale, Maul has finally found what he's been looking for. He'll become a full-fledged Master. Order 66 survivor Devon Izara is a perfect match for Maul, just as determined and brave as Ahsoka and Ezra, but more vulnerable, especially after the death of her Master. She has no one left to protect her. As much as she thinks she knows Maul's true nature, she also knows he's her best chance to fight the Empire. Interestingly, Devon's character design is similar to Star Wars Legends' non-canon Sith apprentice, Darth Talon. Maul and Talon would reportedly have led Lucas' unrealized version of the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Now that story is coming true in Shadow Lord instead. Aside from Savage — who was determined to serve his brother and was therefore much more pliable — Maul's master-apprentice relationship with Devon will be a new experience. How will he keep her in line? Will he acknowledge his shortcomings with Savage? Is he destined to repeat Palpatine's abuse, or will he find another way to teach her, to train her as his equal? Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord season 2 will throw Maul into the deep end. Star Wars isn't done with this iconic villain yet, even though his story already has a tragic ending. Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord season 2 will premiere in 2027 on Disney+. Release Date April 6, 2026 Network Disney+ Directors Brad Rau