CBS Cancels Reboot of "The Equalizer" After Five Seasons
In a move that was not entirely unexpected, CBS has announced the cancellation of the reboot of "The Equalizer" after five seasons, according to a report from Variety. The series, which stars Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, a former CIA operative who helps people in need, has been a staple on the network since its premiere.
The cancellation of "The Equalizer" means that the season finale, which is set to air on May 4, will now serve as the series finale. This decision comes as no surprise, given that the show was considered to be on the bubble last season, Variety reports. The show’s co-production by CBS Studios and Universal Television may have made it a less attractive option for CBS financially, particularly given its late stage in its run.
As Variety notes, CBS has already picked up a number of new drama shows for next season, including a new entry in the "FBI" franchise starring Tom Ellis, which is also a co-production with Universal Television. The network has also ordered a number of other new shows, including the "Fire Country" spinoff "Sheriff Country" and the "Blue Bloods" spinoff "Boston Blue." Additionally, the Matthew Gray Gubler drama "Einstein" was picked up for next season, although it has been pushed to the 2026-2027 season.
The cancellation of "The Equalizer" marks the end of a successful run for the show, which was a reimagining of the 1980s series of the same name. The show’s cast, which includes Tory Kittles, Adam Goldberg, Liza Lapira, Laya DeLeon Hayes, and Lorraine Toussaint, will no longer be producing new episodes. The series was developed for television by Andrew Marlowe and Terri Miller, and was based on the original series co-created by Richard Lindheim.
According to Variety, CBS had previously announced a large number of renewals, including a two-season pickup for comedy "Ghosts" as well as ordering more seasons of shows like "Tracker" and "NCIS." However, it seems that "The Equalizer" was not able to secure a spot in the network’s lineup for next season.
As quoted in the Variety report, the decision to cancel "The Equalizer" appears to be a business one, with the network opting to make room for new shows. The show’s production team, including executive producers Joseph C. Wilson, Queen Latifah, Debra Martin Chase, Shakim Compere, John Davis, John Fox, Loretha Jones, and Rob Hanning, will no longer be producing new episodes of the show.
