The Empire Strikes Back on the New Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord Character Posters
Share the Force:
Phil Roberts 
Get ready to unleash the dark Side of the Force with new character posters for Blake’s Imperial Batallions, and Brander and Rylee Lawson from Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord.
With the series now six episodes in and the arrival of the Empire forcing our heroes to flee, Lucasfilm has released another pair of new character posters from Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord. The sensational new animated series delivered another two episodes this week, with Maul dueling with Marrok and the Eleventh Brother. This week, we spent more time with Brander Lawson and his son Rylee, as well as the vast forces of the Empire, led by Blake. As a result, this week’s poster drop is dedicated to the heroes and villains making up both sides.
Like the previous releases, the glorious one-sheets feature the eye-catching red-and-black skin-toned background of the legendary former Sith. First up, we have the glorious one-sheet of the Empire. Featuring Blake leading his squad of Imperial Stormtroopers, this poster unleashes the Empire in full Force. And rounding out this week’s drop, we have Detective Brander Lawson defending his son, Rylee, from the overwhelming onslaught of the legions of Stormtroopers trying to hunt them down. But before we dig into the characters, scroll down and get your first look below.
THE EMPIRE
BRANDER & RYLEE LAWSON
SYNOPSIS
After a two-episode premiere on Disney+ April 6, 2026, and two episodes each week leading to a finale on Star Wars Day, May the 4th, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord presents fans with a pulpy adventure that finds Maul plotting to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire. There, he crosses paths with a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan who may just be the apprentice he is seeking to aid him in his relentless pursuit for revenge.
Created by Dave Filoni, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is based on Star Wars and characters created by George Lucas. The series is developed by Dave Filoni and Matt Michnovetz. Brad Rau is supervising director. The executive producers are Dave Filoni, Athena Yvette Portillo, Matt Michnovetz, Brad Rau, Carrie Beck, and Josh Rimes. Alex Spotswood is the co-executive producer.
REVIEWS
We were lucky enough to have an early look at the series and had a blast with its darker tone, brutal action, and gripping storyline. In his FIVE-STAR review, Thomas Storai said:
“Maul – Shadow Lord offers a captivating exploration of Maul as a criminal while also introducing and following compelling new characters. Fast-paced and action-packed, it’s a thrilling ride that actually feels like a film.” Read his review here.
And in my FOUR-STAR review, I said:
“Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is a phenomenal deep-dive into Maul’s quest to regain his criminal empire. It’s an intense slice of Star Wars brilliance. Maul has never been so intense. With its breathtaking, crisp animation, a dark, intense soundtrack, and a sumptuous character study, the series is a rare gem that will delight fans everywhere. As always, Sam Witwer embodies this character and delivers a wonderfully weighted, layered performance that adds new dimensions to our beloved former Sith. In the end, with its cast of fresh characters, wonderfully rendered animation, intense storyline, and eye-wateringly violent action, this first season is a treasure trove of Force-fuelled brilliance.” Read my full review here.
RELEASE
Thankfully, this latest poster drop is only one of many planned throughout the season. The series is littered with awesome new characters, all of whom deserve their place on a glossy one-sheet. But who will feature on the next bunch of posters? All will be revealed next week. So, check back as the series unfolds because we’ll be sharing them right here. You’ll never miss a thing with Future of the Force.
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord continues on Disney+ with two episodes each week, culminating in a finale on Star Wars Day, May the 4th.
Are you a fan of the new character posters? Drop a comment below and join the conversation.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
