Sam Witwer, Gideon Adlon, and Vanessa Marshall discuss Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord at Fan Expo Canada.

      Since his debut in 1999, Darth Maul has become an iconic figure within the Star Wars universe, making a memorable impact during his limited screen time in The Phantom Menace. Although it appeared he met his end in that film, Maul has made numerous returns, officially resurrected in The Clone Wars, where it was revealed he survived his injuries. This began a troubling trend of him resurfacing to create chaos for both heroes and villains throughout the galaxy.

      Earlier this year, he made another comeback as the protagonist of his own animated series, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord. This series is set one year after Revenge of the Sith, during the Empire's early days, as Maul starts to establish his criminal syndicate while seeking revenge on former allies, all while identifying a potential apprentice in Order 66 survivor Devon Izara, with the Inquisitors in pursuit.

      At the Fan Expo Canada convention in Toronto, cast members Sam Witwer (Maul), Gideon Adlon (Devon), and Vanessa Marshall (Rook Kast) participated in a panel to discuss the first season and their character journeys. Witwer and Marshall were already well-versed in the Star Wars universe through their roles in The Clone Wars and Rebels, but this marked Adlon’s first Star Wars project. Like many children, she grew up with the franchise, as her family enjoyed both Star Wars and Lucasfilm’s other legendary series, Indiana Jones.

      "Star Wars made me feel at home, and Indiana Jones gave me that same feeling," Adlon shared. "I adore anything fantastical, but as I grew older and entered this universe, I recognized how the storytelling in Rebels, Clone Wars, Bad Batch, and our show mirrors real-world events. That connection makes me proud to be part of it."

      Known for her optimistic portrayal of Hera Syndulla in Rebels, Marshall transitioned to play Maul’s Mandalorian second-in-command, Rook Kast, in the final episodes of The Clone Wars. Kast is fiercely loyal to Maul after he earned the right to lead their Mandalorian clan through a duel to the death, and unlike many of Maul's previous allies, he has a deep bond with her. “I value that I’m the only one he’ll heed,” Marshall explained, elaborating on their dynamic and how she would challenge him or suggest alternatives. "If I have suggestions, like mentioning the men who are getting restless and the cost of loyalty, no one else would dare speak to him that way and survive. I’m grateful that she holds a position of trust with him, which comes from her loyalty. You can explore their backstory in the comics [Star Wars: Son of Dathomir]; she’s earned that trust."

      Regarding her aspirations for future Star Wars projects post-Rebels, particularly following Kast’s unfortunate fate in Shadow Lord, she expressed a desire. "Honestly, I have a deep admiration for Assaj Ventress; I won’t hide it. I genuinely wish she had become part of the Rebel Alliance, and that I [as Hera] had at least 15 minutes with her to persuade her to join. I would be fascinated to see how Assaj might realize the value of our cause."

      One of the most captivating elements of the series—which I noted in my reviews of the first season—is its animation style, which diverges visually from The Clone Wars, Rebels, and Bad Batch. Many backgrounds resemble oil or watercolor paintings, and the character designs complement this style in close-up scenes. "I found it intriguing because whenever you paused it, it resembled a painting regardless of the scene," Witwer commented. "The outcome was even more stunning. I appreciated the dramatic approach; it aligned with Maul's perception of the universe, allowing us to see through his eyes."

      He further explained how Maul's outlook and the animation style accentuate his emotional state. "To him, the universe is a perilous environment where stopping for even a moment invites danger; if you take time to reflect, your adversaries will close in. The Sith believe that once you embark on the light path, reflection and compassion will ultimately dictate your fate, leaving you vulnerable to destruction from your enemies. That encapsulates Maul's worldview. A world that feels more chaotic and threatening mirrors his inner turmoil and justifies his actions at any given moment."

      The animation also supports Devon’s development, as she grapples with the Jedi path she’s known versus the new reality imposed by the Empire and Maul's approach to being pursued. "Many young Padawans didn’t have the chance to enjoy their childhood, and neither did Devon," Adlon remarked. "The visuals often appear somewhat blurred, akin to oil and watercolor, reflecting how Devon feels. Though she commands respect from the men around her, as a young woman, she protects her space; yet, she remains blurred, trying to understand herself and her feelings toward Maul, Daki,