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Following five action-filled seasons, CBS has officially canceled The Equalizer. The widely successful reinterpretation of the 1980s classic featured Queen Latifah reprising the role of Robyn McCall, a skilled vigilante with an obscured past and CIA-level abilities.
Upon the announcement, Queen Latifah reminisced about her journey on the show on Instagram.
"The Equalizer blew past every dream we had for it, and having the opportunity to do this for five seasons honestly feels surreal,” she said, capturing the bittersweet sentiment that Ross and the show’s staff, along with the audience, will remember with the story.
A role that delivered
As executive producer with Flavor Unit, Latifah took up the character of Robyn McCall and portrayed it with great zeal.
“Stepping into a kick-ass role like Robyn was everything I hoped it would be,” she remarked in her Instagram post's caption.
Notably, Latifah became the fourth African-American woman to star in a primetime network drama, showcasing her remarkable talent, which is one of the many reasons why she received a lot of attention for the role.
Having a powerful female storyline of both sides of the bullet was unprecedented, and that's what the series brought with it.
“Shakim and I at Flavor Unit are always excited to bring these kinds of roles and projects to life — and then we just hope you love them as much as we do,” Latifah added.
A modern reboot with a social edge
Starring Queen Latifah, The Equalizer aired in 2021, revamping the classic 1980s television show and film franchise starring Denzel Washington. The newer version imagined the story of Robyn McCall, an intelligence officer, who was also a devoted mother, living a dual life.
The Equalizer portrayed current-day problems such as social injustice and invasive monitoring systems alongside racism. The show had a diverse cast, which included Tory Kittles, Liza Lapira, Adam Goldberg, Lorraine Toussaint, and, as mentioned above, Latifah.
The Equalizer cancellation comes amid industry-wide shifts
Though the series garnered a steady audience and reliable ratings, CBS's decision not to renew it for a sixth season indicates larger shifts in the television industry. As with many network series, the increasing costs of production, changing viewer behaviour, and the shift toward streaming have resulted in numerous cancellations.
As cited in Deadline, CBS considered the possibility of a final season but chose to conclude the series with season 5 on May 4, 2025. That season finale episode will now also serve as the show’s series finale.
Latifah promises a return: “I’ll be back kicking ass”
Though the show was cancelled, it did not stop Queen Latifah from making it clear that she’s still very keen on telling action-oriented stories.
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“Don’t worry — I’ll be back kicking ass in something new real soon,” she teased. “Can’t wait to share it with you.”
Even as Latifah moves on from The Equalizer, her mark as a multi-faceted and unprecedented figure in the world of entertainment will be evolving, and fans will be eager to find out how she plans to shape the future.
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