The Equalizer (2021 TV series) explained

Developer:Andrew W. Marlowe & Terri Edda Miller
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:4
Num Episodes:56
List Episodes:List of The Equalizer (2021 TV series) episodes
Camera:Single-camera
Runtime:43–44 minutes
Network:CBS
Related:The Equalizer (original series)

The Equalizer is an American crime drama television series that premiered on CBS on February 7, 2021. It is the reboot of the original series of the same name created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. The series is co-created by executive producers Lindheim, with Sloan, and Queen Latifah, who also stars as the titular character. John Davis, John Fox, Debra Martin Chase, Andrew Marlowe, and Terri Miller also serve as executive producers. Lindheim died from heart failure on January 18, 2021, while working on the series; the series premiere is dedicated to his memory.

In March 2021, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on October 10, 2021. In May 2022, the series was renewed for its third and fourth seasons. The third season premiered on October 2, 2022. The fourth premiered on February 18, 2024. In April 2024, the series was renewed for a fifth season which is slated to premiere on October 20, 2024.

Premise

The series centers around Robyn McCall, an enigmatic woman in New York City and single mother to teenage daughter Delilah with a mysterious background who uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn, acting as a guardian angel and a defender for those who cannot defend themselves while pursuing her own redemption.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Notable guest stars

Episodes

See main article: List of The Equalizer (2021 TV series) episodes.

Production

Development

In November 2019, CBS announced that a reboot was in development with Queen Latifah in the lead role as Robyn McCall. Andrew Marlowe and Terri Miller would serve as showrunners with Latifah herself as an executive producer.[5] On January 27, 2020, CBS issued a pilot order for the new version.[6] Production companies involved with the pilot include Flavor Unit, Davis Entertainment, Martin Chase Productions and CBS Television Studios and Universal Television. On May 8, 2020, it was announced that the production had been given a series order.[7] On March 9, 2021, CBS renewed the series for a second season.[8] On May 1, 2022, Marlowe and Miller stepped down as showrunners and are being replaced by Joseph C. Wilson and Adam Glass.[9] On May 5, 2022, CBS renewed the series for its third and fourth seasons.[10] On April 25, 2024, CBS renewed the series for a fifth season.[11]

Casting

In February 2020, it was announced that Liza Lapira and Lorraine Toussaint had been cast in the pilot's lead roles.[12] [13] On March 3, 2020, it was announced that Tory Kittles joined the cast in a starring role.[14] On May 8, 2020, it was announced that Chris Noth joined a starring role along with Latifah.[15] On December 21, 2021, CBS and Universal Television announced Noth was terminated from the series after sexual assault allegations were made against him. His final appearance was in the middle of the second season.[16] On January 3, 2022, it was reported that Noth had made his last appearance in "Separated" due to allegations that he assaulted women in December 2021.[17] On September 20, 2022, it was announced that Donal Logue and Gloria Reuben joined the cast in undisclosed capacities for the third season.[18]

Filming

The pilot was slated to film in New York City in March 2020. Production was delayed as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States before filming could begin.[19] On February 9, 2021, it was reported that production had been temporarily suspended due to a positive COVID-19 test.[20]

Filming for the series has taken place in several locations in northern New Jersey, including Paterson, Newark, and Jersey City.[21] Exterior shots of a Jersey City home are used for Robyn McCall's residence.[22] [23]

Broadcast

The Equalizer premiered on February 7, 2021, after Super Bowl LV on CBS.[24] The second season premiered on October 10, 2021.[25] The third season premiered on October 2, 2022.[26] The fourth season premiered on February 18, 2024.[27] The fifth season is scheduled to premiere on October 20, 2024.[28]

The series had its series premiere in Germany on Sky One on July 12, 2021, in the UK on Sky Witness on August 3, 2021,[29] and in Italy on Sky Investigation (local version of Sky Witness) on October 3, 2021.

Marketing

On May 19, 2020, a 30-second teaser featuring Queen Latifah explaining her involvement in the series was released by CBS.[30] On January 9, 2021, CBS released the first official teaser for the series.[31]

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the show's first season has an approval rating of 67% based on reviews from 30 critics, with an average rating of 6/10. The website's critical consensus states: "Queen Latifah returns to the small screen in full command of her craft—if only The Equalizer overly-engineered early episodes were on her level."[32] On Metacritic (which uses a weighted average), the season has a score of 57 out of 100 based on 15 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[33]

Ratings

Future

In January 2021, when asked about the show's relationship to the film series starring Denzel Washington, Marlowe stated that while they are focusing on establishing the television series to stand on its own, they are leaving the opportunity open for a crossover between the two in the future.[34]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . November 11, 2020 . Adam Goldberg Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' CBS Series . November 22, 2020 . Deadline Hollywood.
  2. Web site: Jada Pinkett Smith Reunites With Queen Latifah for an Old-Fashioned Heist on 'The Equalizer' (Exclusive). Entertainment Tonight. Philiana. Ng. February 25, 2022. February 27, 2022.
  3. Web site: The Equalizer: Kelly Rowland Is At the Center of Robyn & Co.'s Undercover Mission — Watch a Sneak Peek. TVLine. Erica. Thompson. November 25, 2022. November 28, 2022.
  4. Web site: The Equalizer Casts Mike Epps to Offer a Crucial Assist in McCall's Investigation (Exclusive). TVLine. Kimberly. Roots. March 8, 2024. March 8, 2024.
  5. Web site: Sneider . Jeff . November 4, 2019 . 'The Equalizer' TV Series Starring Queen Latifah in the Works at CBS . Collider.
  6. News: Andreeva . Nellie . January 27, 2020 . 'The Equalizer Reboot Starring Queen Latifah Gets CBS Pilot Order . . February 3, 2020.
  7. News: Andreeva . Nellie . May 8, 2020 . Dramas 'The Equalizer' With Queen Latifah & 'Clarice', Chuck Lorre Comedy 'B Positive' Picked Up To Series By CBS . . May 8, 2020.
  8. Web site: Mitovich. Matt Webb . March 9, 2021 . The Equalizer Renewed for Season 2 . March 9, 2021 . TVLine.
  9. Web site: The Equalizer Changes Showrunners Ahead of Likely Season 3. Toby. Mekeisha Madden. TVLine. May 3, 2022. May 2, 2022.
  10. Web site: Denise . Petski . May 5, 2022 . 'The Equalizer' Renewed For Seasons 3 & 4 By CBS . May 5, 2022 . Deadline Hollywood.
  11. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. The Equalizer Renewed For Season 5 By CBS, NCIS: Hawai'i Still In Limbo. Deadline Hollywood. April 25, 2024. April 25, 2024.
  12. Web site: Petski . Denise . February 25, 2020 . Liza Lapira Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' Reboot Pilot On CBS . June 23, 2020 . Deadline.
  13. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . February 28, 2020 . Lorraine Toussaint Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' Reboot Pilot On CBS . June 26, 2020 . Deadline.
  14. News: Andreeva. Nellie. March 3, 2020 . Tory Kittles Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' Reboot Pilot On CBS . . May 10, 2020.
  15. News: Andreeva . Nellie . May 8, 2020. Chris Noth Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' CBS Series . . May 8, 2020.
  16. Web site: Zorrilla. Mónica Marie . December 20, 2021 . Chris Noth Dropped From CBS' 'The Equalizer' After Sexual Assault Allegations . Variety . December 20, 2021.
  17. Web site: Cordero. Rosy . January 4, 2022 . 'The Equalizer': Chris Noth's Final Episode Provides Satisfactory Conclusion For His Character William Bishop .
  18. Web site: Cordero . Rosy. September 20, 2022. 'The Equalizer': Donal Logue and Gloria Reuben Join Season 3. Deadline Hollywood. September 20, 2022.
  19. Web site: Thorne. Will. Aurthur. Kate . March 12, 2020 . All the Shows and Movies Shut Down or Delayed Because of Coronavirus . March 14, 2020 . . en.
  20. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . February 9, 2021 . The Equalizer Pauses Production After Positive Covid-19 Test . Deadline Hollywood . February 9, 2021.
  21. Web site: December 20, 2020 . Back on home turf: Queen Latifah filming across the state for drama series, The Equalizer . Jersey's Best.
  22. Web site: Fry . Chris . March 4, 2021 . Queen Latifah's The Equalizer Character Calls Jersey City Home . May 13, 2021 . Dirt.
  23. Web site: Blake . Lindsay . February 9, 2021 . Queen Latifah Calls a Grand Jersey City Victorian Home on Her New Show 'The Equalizer'. May 13, 2021 . Dirt.
  24. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . Petski . Denise . December 3, 2020 . 'The Equalizer' Starring Queen Latifah Lands Post-Super Bowl Slot On CBS; 'FBI' Midseason Return Set Post-AFC Championship Game . December 3, 2020 . Deadline Hollywood.
  25. Web site: Pedersen . Erik . July 12, 2021 . CBS Fall Premiere Dates: New 'NCIS', 'CSI', 'FBI' Series Plus Returning Comedies, Dramas & Reality Fare . July 12, 2021 . Deadline Hollywood.
  26. Web site: CBS Sets Fall Premiere Dates for FBI, Ghosts, NCIS, Young Sheldon and More. TVLine. Ryan. Schwartz. June 23, 2022. June 23, 2022.
  27. Web site: Nellie. Andreeva. CBS Sets 2024 Premiere Dates For Delayed Scripted Series, Confirms 'Matlock' & 'Poppa's House' Move To Next Season. Deadline Hollywood. November 13, 2023. November 13, 2023.
  28. Web site: 'Tracker' Season 2 & 'The Equalizer' Season 5 Premiere Dates Shift To CBS Premiere Week. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. July 26, 2024. July 26, 2024.
  29. Web site: Harrison. Phil. Verdier. Hannah. Jones . Ellen E . Howlett . Paul . August 3, 2021 . TV tonight: Queen Latifah returns as a modern-day Robin Hood in The Equalizer. August 3, 2021 . The Guardian.
  30. https://deadline.com/video/b-positive-trailer-the-equalizer-clarice-first-looks-cbs/ "CBS New Series: B Positive Trailer, The Equalizer & Clarice Teases"
  31. Web site: Del Rosario. Alexandra. January 9, 2021 . 'The Equalizer' Teaser: Queen Latifah Protects The Defenseless In Teaser For CBS Series . January 10, 2021 . Deadline Hollywood.
  32. the_equalizer_2020. The Equalizer. tv. 1. September 30, 2021.
  33. the-equalizer-2021. The Equalizer. tv. 1. September 30, 2021.
  34. Web site: 'The Equalizer' TV Show Isn't Ruling Out a Denzel Washington Crossover. Decider. Cobb, Kayla. January 27, 2021. January 13, 2022.

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