For more than a decade, Sam Witwer has become synonymous with Darth Maul. Since first taking over the role in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Witwer has helped transform the Sith Lord from a memorable villain with limited screen time into one of the most complex and compelling characters in the Star Wars universe.
Now, Witwer returns to the character in Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, the latest animated series from Lucasfilm streaming on Disney+. The series places Maul front and center, allowing audiences to further explore the character’s psyche, ambitions, and emotional journey.
During a recent conversation with Scott Menzel at Awards Buzz, Witwer discussed the responsibility of portraying such an iconic character, the challenges of meeting fan expectations, the collaborative process behind animation, and why he believes Shadow Lord represents some of the strongest work Lucasfilm Animation has ever produced.
What has it been like to finally have a series where Darth Maul is front and center?
I don’t know if the reward has come yet because we’re still in the middle of it. We released the first segment, but we have to keep our foot on the accelerator and keep pushing forward. Maybe when everything is finished and it all works out, I’ll treat myself to some fast food or something. But right now, all I can think about is the next task. That’s just how I’m wired.
You’ve been part of so many beloved franchises throughout your career. What does it mean to know that your work has resonated with audiences across multiple generations of fandom?
Honestly, it’s confusing. I have no idea why these people keep hiring me. I’m astonished I’m still in this industry. But I’m grateful that I’ve been lucky enough to work on projects that people remember and continue to care about.
Darth Maul was already an iconic character before you stepped into the role. How did you approach taking ownership of a character with such a passionate fanbase?
Very carefully. You have to step lightly, but at the same time you have to step boldly. A character like Darth Maul requires big swings and real risks. If you don’t take those risks, the character dies creatively.
When Dave Filoni first called me and said, “I need Darth Maul. Can you do it?” I understood exactly what he was asking. The funny thing is, I basically lied and said yes because I had no idea how I was actually going to do it. I didn’t have anything prepared. Thankfully, the fans were patient with us, and it all worked out.
There was certainly some skepticism when Maul returned in The Clone Wars. What do you remember about that reaction?
People forget this now, but for about a week I was the guy who ruined Darth Maul.
George Lucas and Dave Filoni understood that bringing Maul back needed to have consequences. He wasn’t supposed to come back whole. He was broken, insane, and living as this horrifying spider-like creature held together by the dark side.
We knew some fans would struggle with that because they were expecting the Darth Maul from The Phantom Menace. Instead, they got a character who was vulnerable and completely tormented.
The criticism was real, but we also knew where the story was going. Once Maul regained his mind and started becoming himself again, audiences began to understand the journey. Now people look back on it as one of the most fascinating parts of the character’s arc.
Why do you think Star Wars fans are so protective of these characters and stories?
Because they’re deeply in love with the mythology. I understand that because I’m one of them.
The thing I’ve learned is that not all Star Wars has to be made specifically for me. When I was a kid, Star Wars was aimed directly at children. That’s part of why it was so impactful.
So if Lucasfilm creates something that skews younger, that’s okay. Kids deserve to have their own Star Wars experience. At the same time, there are projects like Andor or Maul that appeal to older audiences and explore darker themes.
There’s room for all of it. But you can’t stop making Star Wars for kids because at its core it’s a fairy tale about how to be a good person. That’s always been one of its greatest strengths.
With awards season approaching, what does it mean to have Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord in the conversation for recognition?
I honestly don’t spend much time thinking about that. My focus is making sure the performance is truthful.
If Maul is crying, that’s me crying in the booth. If he’s losing his mind, that’s me losing my mind in the booth. The commitment has to match the scale of the story.
What I can say is that everyone on this show delivered award-worthy work. Every department challenged itself to improve on what we’d done before. The animation had to be better. The writing had to be better. The acting, editing, lighting, choreography—everything had to be elevated.
Everyone brought their absolute best.
You’ve spoken before about how collaborative animation can be. What was that process like on this series?
It’s incredibly collaborative. I’m constantly communicating with the animation department. Sometimes they’ll even ask me to shoot reference footage for scenes.
I’m not telling the animators what to do because they’re experts at what they do. But it’s another way to contribute ideas and stay aligned creatively.
What’s wonderful is that when you’re truly in sync, you can build moments together. I might leave a pause in my performance because I know the animators are going to emphasize a specific expression or visual beat. Everyone is working toward the same goal.
And honestly, we all like each other. We’re friends. That makes a huge difference.
We ask all of our guests this question. Is there a performance or television series you’ve recently watched that you think deserves more awards buzz?
There are too many to name.
On the animation side, I’ve been catching up on Castlevania, and I absolutely love the performances in that show.
For live action, Antony Starr continues to do incredible work as Homelander. The character is terrifying, chilling, and deeply vulnerable all at the same time.
And I recently started watching Shrinking. Television has become such an extraordinary medium. It’s amazing what creators are accomplishing in that space right now.
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is currently streaming on Disney+ and is being considered for Outstanding Animated Program and Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for Sam Witwer.
