Disney spent the first several years of Disney+ turning Star Wars into a live-action television powerhouse.
At the center of everything was The Mandalorian (2019).
Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin and Grogu became two of the streaming service's most recognizable characters, and their success helped open the door for an entire lineup of live-action Star Wars shows.
Six years later, Disney and Lucasfilm appear to be adjusting that strategy.
Mando and Grogu have graduated to theaters with The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026), while Lucasfilm has yet to confirm The Mandalorian Season 4.
But another Star Wars character is already guaranteed to continue his Disney+ story in 2027.
Darth Maul.
Lucasfilm Is Bringing Maul Back
Maul: Shadow Lord will officially return for Season 2 sometime in 2027.
Head writer and executive producer Matt Michnovetz confirmed the second season during Disney's D23 event in 2026. A specific premiere date hasn't been announced.
The renewal means Lucasfilm's remarkably consistent run of animated Star Wars releases isn't ending anytime soon.
Beginning with Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7 in 2020, Lucasfilm has released at least one animated Star Wars title or season every calendar year.
That continued through projects including The Bad Batch, Visions, Tales of the Jedi, Tales of the Empire, Tales of the Underworld, and Young Jedi Adventures.
Then 2026 brought Maul: Shadow Lord Season 1 and Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi.
When Maul returns in 2027, that streak will officially reach seven years.
Animation Could Become Even More Important
None of this means Disney has abandoned live-action Star Wars television.
It also doesn't mean The Mandalorian is officially canceled. Lucasfilm simply hasn't announced Season 4, while Din Djarin and Grogu's story has expanded into theaters.
But the difference between Disney's earlier streaming strategy and its current slate is noticeable.
For years, Disney+ received a steady supply of major live-action Star Wars shows. Now, animation looks increasingly important to keeping the franchise consistently represented on the platform.
And Maul: Shadow Lord currently stands at the center of that strategy.
As of now, it is the only officially announced animated Star Wars project in development beyond 2026. Lucasfilm could certainly reveal additional projects before Season 2 arrives.
That leaves Maul in an interesting position.
The Mandalorian (2019) helped establish live-action Star Wars as one of Disney+'s biggest attractions. Now that Mando has moved to theaters, Lucasfilm may have found a different way to keep Star Wars moving on streaming.
Instead of another bounty hunter carrying Disney+'s Star Wars lineup, one of the galaxy's most famous Sith is stepping forward.
