Dave Filoni’s newest animated entry in the Star Wars universe, Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord, has opened to near-universal acclaim, earning a perfect 100% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes just days after its Disney+ debut. The 10-episode first season, which premiered April 6, 2026, has drawn positive reaction from critics for its storytelling, animation and performance work, and Lucasfilm already has a second season in development.
Rotten Tomatoes’ 100% rating is based on 25 critical reviews, and audience response is likewise strong: the show holds a 96% score on the Popcornmeter. Critics cited in review roundups praised the series as a high point for the franchise. Jamie Parker of CBR awarded the show a 10/10, calling it one of the franchise’s best TV series. Jacob Fisher at Discussing Film gave it 4/5 and described Maul’s story as “an exciting new frontier for the franchise,” while Dais Johnston of Inverse wrote that “Star Wars animation has never looked better.”
Created by Filoni and set about a year after the events of The Clone Wars, Maul — Shadow Lord centers on former Sith lord Maul as he attempts to rebuild his criminal syndicate under the early years of the Galactic Empire. The series relocates much of the action to the planet Janix and unfolds over a 10-episode arc, with Disney+ releasing two episodes weekly through May 4. Sam Witwer provides the voice of Maul; the ensemble cast also includes Gideon Adlon, Wagner Moura, Richard Ayoade and Dennis Haysbert. Pamela Adlon voices Rheena Sul, introduced in the premiere as a gambler and small‑time gangster.
The show’s early critical consensus places it among the highest-rated Star Wars television projects on Rotten Tomatoes. Maul — Shadow Lord joins Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi and Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld as series holding 100% scores, and it slightly edges out acclaimed animated shows such as Star Wars: Visions and Star Wars Rebels, each at 98%. By contrast, recent live-action entries have received lower Tomatometer ratings: Star Wars: Skeleton Crew sits at 92%, Star Wars: Ahsoka at 85%, and Star Wars: The Acolyte at 79%.
Reviewers have noted that the series balances a darker, crime-centric narrative with the franchise’s mythic elements, allowing Maul’s complex history to drive new storytelling territory rather than merely revisiting familiar beats. The production’s look and animation style have been singled out for praise, with several critics calling it a visual high point for modern Star Wars animation.
With Lucasfilm already developing a second season, the strong critical reception and audience enthusiasm suggest Maul — Shadow Lord could become a major franchise touchstone in the coming years. Disney+ will roll out the remainder of the season’s episodes on a bipedal schedule through early May, by which point more comprehensive audience metrics and long-term critical appraisal will become available.