Sam Witwer Teases Maul’s Dark “Apprenticeship” in STAR WARS: MAUL – SHADOW LORD

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord has been delivering a surprisingly layered story, and as the Season 1 finale creeps closer, fans are starting to question where certain character arcs are heading.

One of the biggest talking points right now revolves around Devon Izara and her complicated connection to Maul. If you’ve been waiting for a traditional Sith apprentice storyline to kick in, Sam Witwersays you might already be watching it unfold… just not in the way you expected.

From the start, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord has made it clear that it’s not just about Maul wreaking havoc across the galaxy. The show thrives on character tension, and Devon Izara has quickly become one of its most interesting pieces.

A former Jedi Padawan who survived Order 66, she’s been navigating life on the run alongside her master, Eeko-Dio Daki. Things get even more intense for them once Maul enters the picture.

Fans have been speculating for weeks that Devon could eventually fall under Maul’s influence and become his apprentice. Some viewers have even voiced frustration that the show hasn’t leaned into that idea yet. According to Witwer, though, that assumption misses what’s actually happening on screen.

“And I kind of laughed, because you’re seeing it right now. Started early in the show. He’s training [Devon],” he said. “Whether she likes it or not. We’ll see if she takes to it.

“We’ll see if she eventually goes, ‘No, that’s not happening.’ But Maul’s way with Devon is, every time he bumps into her, there’s a new lesson. And does she succeed or fail at that lesson? I love that aspect of it.”

That perspective reframes their interactions. Instead of a formal master-apprentice dynamic, Maul is shaping Devon through conflict, manipulation, and pressure. It’s less about consent and more about influence, which fits perfectly with his character.

Witwer doubled down on that idea, adding, “But, you wanna know how this guy shapes an apprentice? Well, you’re watching it happen, whether the person gives the okay or not. It’s a very interesting, very dark side, scary way of looking at it, I think.”

That “dark side” approach is exactly what makes this storyline hit harder. Devon hasn’t pledged herself to Maul. In fact, she doesn’t trust him at all. Even with a shared enemy in the Empire, she’s kept her distance, trying to stay aligned with the Jedi principles she was raised on. But there are cracks forming.

Her impulsive behavior, like stealing from a fruit stand in her introduction, shows she’s already different from Eeko-Dio. While her master clings tightly to old Jedi traditions, Devon feels more adaptable, more willing to bend the rules when survival demands it. That contrast fuels one of the show’s strongest dynamics.

Eeko-Dio represents discipline and the light side. Maul represents chaos and temptation. Devon is stuck between them, pulled in both directions. And Maul clearly sees something in her. He’s not just trying to recruit her, he’s trying to reshape her, using her anger toward the Empire as a tool.

With only two episodes left in Season 1, the big question is how far this influence will go. If Eeko-Dio falls, which wouldn’t exactly break Star Wars tradition, Devon could find herself without that moral anchor. That’s when Maul’s grip could tighten.

We already know Season 2 is on the way, so Devon’s story isn’t ending anytime soon. That makes it even more likely the finale will push her to make a defining choice. Does she stay committed to the light, or does she step into something darker, even if it’s just temporary?

Honestly, seeing her lean into Maul’s teachings, even briefly, could open the door to way more interesting storytelling. Keeping her firmly on the same path risks things getting repetitive. Letting her explore that darker side would shake up the dynamic and give the series new energy heading into its next chapter.

Either way, it’s clear that Shadow Lord isn’t interested in doing the obvious thing. And that’s exactly why this Devon and Maul storyline has been so fun to watch unfold.

Source: ComicBook