CBS is considering expanding the Queen Latifah-led The Equalizer with a spin-off series.
The crime drama, which is a reboot to Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim’s series of the same name, recently returned for its fifth season back in October. CBS will introduce two new characters in Episode 16, aiming to launch an all-new series.
CBS eyes 2 co-leads for potential The Equalizer spin-off
Sources told Deadline that casting is already underway for Season 5, Episode 16. Per the outlet’s report, the network is looking for the roles of a younger female martial artist with an expertise with weapons who seeks Robyn McCall’s (Queen Latifah) help, and an older male who is a former CIA operative.
Both are guest-starring roles with a possibility to become series regulars should the spin-off move forward. Additionally, if the spin-off gets greenlit, it would mark The Equalizer franchise’s first time to stray away from its one lead character format — from the original 1985 series, the Denzel Washington-led film series, and the current CBS reboot led by Queen Latifah.
It is also noted that the upcoming episode, which is scheduled to air in the spring, is not a backdoor pilot. CBS had been using the strategy to its other hit shows, having introduced new characters to see if they can create a possible spin-off out of a particular show’s regular episode. It was previously seen in Fire Country, with Morena Baccarin appearing as a guest star and will soon be leading Sheriff Country.
“The series follows Robyn McCall, an enigmatic woman with a mysterious background who uses her extensive skills as a former CIA operative to help those with nowhere else to turn,” the logline reads.
In addition to Queen Latifah as the titular character, the hit crime drama also stars Lorraine Toussaint as Aunt Vi, Tory Kittles as Marcus Dante, Adam Goldberg as Harry Keshegian, Liza Lapira as Mel, and Laya DeLeon Hayes as Delilah.
