The Fate Of Queen Latifah’s Equalizer Has Been Decided
Queen Latifah stars as The Equalizer on CBS and we have finally gotten word of what will happen to the hit show in the future.
Former CIA operative Robyn McCall’s quest for justice will continue for a few more years as CBS renews The Equalizer for two more seasons. The news comes as no surprise since the Queen Latifah-led crime drama has regularly been the number one scripted series for the network on Sunday nights with an average of 9.46 million viewers. Additionally, CBS says the show has amassed 1.2 billion potential social media impressions, Deadline reports.
Queen Latifah first announced The Equalizer’s renewal during an appearance on CBS Mornings. She talked about her character’s need to use her skills for the good of regular folks. She also addressed how the show felt it was important to take topics that were ripped from the headlines and really deal with them. Starring alongside the Living Single alum is Lorraine Toussaint, Tory Kittles, Adam Goldberg, Liza Lapira, and Laya DeLeon Hayes also star. You can watch Queen Latifah’s full interview on CBS Mornings here:
FIRST ON #CBSMornings: Hit drama @TheEqualizerCBS is getting renewed for two more seasons.
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) May 5, 2022
Star and executive producer @IAMQUEENLATIFAH says taking on the role of a “boss” isn’t new: “To be in charge of my decisions and my career, my life, it’s been normal.” pic.twitter.com/A8oMK7ihuM
The Equalizer is a reboot of the 1980s series of the same name which was adapted for movies starring Denzel Washington in 2014 and 2018. The story focuses on former CIA agent, Robyn McCall (Queen Latifah) who uses her skills to help those in need. As an enigmatic single mother in New York City, she acts as a guardian angel and a defender for those who cannot defend themselves. All while pursuing redemption of her own.
Speaking about the renewal, Senior Executive Vice President of Programming at CBS Entertainment Thom Sherman said the network is glad that The Equalizer will continue to pack a powerful punch on Sunday nights. He told The Hollywood Reporter, that they are thrilled to have it back for two more seasons. He added that the show’s success is due to the sum of its parts. This includes an outstanding cast led by Queen Latifah and an exceptional creative team that has evolved its storytelling. Their compelling mix of everyday justice, family dynamics, and real-world issues are essentially what connects and resonates with viewers.
Interestingly, the Queen Latifah show hasn’t been without some hiccups. In April, Deadline reported that series creators Andrew W. Marlowe and Terri Edda Miller stepped down as showrunners. They will be succeeded by Joseph C. Wilson (who worked on the series since its first season), and Adam Glass (of The Chi fame). While the new hires are something networks and studios usually do when a renewal is expected, the news came on the heels of Chris Noth being axed from the show.
The actor was unceremoniously dumped from The Equalizer after five women came forward with allegations of sexual assault and misconduct – claims he says are “categorically false.” Chris Noth played William Bishop for one and a half seasons. The character was a quirky former CIA director and old friend of Queen Latifah’s Robyn, who ran his own private security company. He was killed in a plane crash by Robyn’s nemesis, Mason Quinn.
Universal Television produces the hit series in association with CBS Studios. Andrew Marlowe, Terri Edda Miller, Dana Owens (Queen Latifah), John Davis, John Fox, Debra Martin Chase, Richard Lindheim (co-creator of the 1980s series), Shakim Compere, and Joseph C. Wilson serve as executive producers.
