Queen Latifah’s hit crime drama The Equalizer has received a promising update regarding a season 5 renewal. The show, which premiered on CBS in 2021, is a remake of the 1980s show of the same name and focuses on the character of the enigmatic Robyn McCall (Latifah), a single mother from New York, who moonlights as a guardian angel for those unable to defend themselves. The series has been a big success for CBS and is considered one of the network’s flagship shows, alongside FBI.
According to Deadline, the renewal for The Equalizer season 5 seems very likely as the show awaits the decision. Based on the report, the network is in the final stages of negotiating Latifah’s contract, which will determine the show’s renewal. The report also reveals that the show is ranked highest in linear viewership among the five shows awaiting renewal, which includes Elsbeth, So Help Me Todd, NCIS: Hawai’i, and CSI: Vegas. It is reported that The Equalizer is ranked at number seven among non-sports broadcast programs.
One of the key things that great shows like The Equalizer have going for them is that the story and narrative are building toward something over multiple seasons, with the season 4 finale suggesting the story is heading for an explosive conclusion. While nothing on TV is ever set in stone, the show’s success and Latifah’s star power made it one of the biggest hits CBS has had in many years, so a season 5 renewal seems inevitable at this point.
It makes sense why CBS is holding off on the renewal as Latifah is the show’s key star. Considering that the negotiations are in the final stages, it can be assumed that the actor will return for season 5. There is no guarantee who else might return if the show is renewed, but there is a good chance most of the core cast members will be back, except for Chris Noth, who was fired for sexual misconduct allegations. Here is a list of the cast who would be expected to return for season 5:
How many more seasons the CBS show could run is unclear, but it already has 51 broadcast episodes under its belt. Furthermore, part of the new deal could see The Equalizer season 5 episode count also increased from 18 to 20. This suggests CBS still feels this is a show with a lot to offer, and it could even be the start of a strong run for future seasons. It will all depend on how long Latifah feels she wants to explore the character of Robyn, and how her relationship with the network holds up.
Source: Deadline