CBS has officially renewed the drama series “The Equalizer,” starring and executive produced by Queen Latifah, for a fifth season set to air in 2024-25.
The renewal, though expected, faced delays as lead studio Universal Television negotiated a deal with Queen Latifah. With the deal now closed, the path is clear for the show’s return.
Seasons of “The Equalizer” have typically consisted of 18 episodes, a request often made by top talent in broadcast drama series. While there was an attempt to increase the episode count to 20 or more in Queen Latifah’s negotiation, Season 5 will maintain the standard 18 episodes.
As the renewal news arrives, “NCIS: Hawai’i” remains the only CBS scripted series in uncertainty following the recent cancellations of “So Help Me Todd” and “CSI: Vegas.” Discussions about the future of “Hawai’i” are ongoing, with the possibility of a partial Season 4 with 13 or fewer episodes as a potential final chapter.
“The Equalizer” has proven to be a strong performer for CBS, ranking as the #8 most watched non-sports broadcast program. With an average of 7.89 million linear viewers and over 10 million viewers in Live+35 multi-platform viewership, it also holds the top spot among African American viewers.
CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach praised the series, highlighting its powerful drama elements, suspense, heroism, and formidable characters that resonate with audiences. The show, co-produced by CBS Studios, is part of the slate of drama series Universal Television makes for CBS.
A reimagining of the classic series, “The Equalizer” stars Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, a former CIA operative using her skills to aid those in need. The ensemble cast includes Lorraine Toussaint, Tory Kittles, Adam Goldberg, Liza Lapira, and Laya DeLeon Hayes. The series is executive produced by an impressive team including Andrew Marlowe, Terri Edda Miller, and co-showrunners Joseph C. Wilson and Adam Glass.