What’s The Equalizer about?
The new series follows Robyn McCall, a woman who uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn. To a trusted few, she is The Equalizer—an anonymous guardian angel and defender of the downtrodden, who’s also dogged in her pursuit of personal redemption. To the rest of the world, McCall appears to be an average single mom quietly raising her teenage daughter with the help of her Aunt Vi. Her family believes she recently quit her job at a charitable organization when, in fact, she just quit the CIA.
Is The Equalizer based on previous material?
The Equalizer is a reboot of the 1985 CBS series that starred Edward Woodward in the title role. The original series ran for four seasons and spawned a 2014 film starring Denzel Washington. Richard Lindheim, who was the co-creator of the original series, served as an executive producer on this reboot. Sadly, Lindheim died just recently on Jan. 18 at the age of 81. His son-in-law Ezra Dweck said, “He was watching dailies of The Equalizer til the last day; he was so excited to see the show go into production and was ready to tune in and watch the premiere.” “He and I just hit off since Day One,” Queen Latifah said of Lindheim. “He did get an opportunity to see the first episode and thought it as great.”
Who stars in The Equalizer?
Queen Latifah (Robyn McCall)
Queen Latifah takes on the title role in the reimagining of the classic series, The Equalizer, where she stars as ex-CIA operative Robyn McCall, a gender switch of the lead character Robert McCall from the ’80s TV series. She also serves as an executive producer on the series. “The only reservation I had was Denzel [Washington],” Latifah, 50, tells USA Today. “I had to figure out how to create a character that was going to be different from his and obviously not get in his lane, but not like the original, either.” Latifah (whose given name is Dana Owens) has been nominated for an Academy Award and is a Grammy, Emmy, SAG Award and Golden Globe winner. Her credits include Chicago, Bessie, Living Single and Last Holiday. Fun fact:Owens was given the nickname “Latifah” as a child.
Chris Noth (William Bishop)
Bishop is Robyn’s former CIA handler and longtime friend. Photo: Barbara Nitke/CBS ©2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Noth is best known to audiences for his roles on The Good Wife, Law & Order and Sex and the City. Fun fact: Noth’s mother, Jeanne Parr, was a reporter for CBS News.
Adam Goldberg (Harry Keshegian)
Harry is a paranoid but brilliant computer hacker that Robyn turns to for all things electronic. Think of him as The Equalizer’s version of Q. Goldberg is best known for his roles in Saving Private Ryan, Dazed and Confused and A Beautiful Mind. Fun fact:Goldberg is an avid photographer. He is also a skilled guitarist and songwriter who has released jazz and rock albums.
Lorraine Toussaint (Viola “Vi” Marsette)
Toussaint plays Robyn’s Aunt Vi. She helps Robyn out with her daughter at home and is her sounding board. The SAG Award-winning performer is best known for her roles in Selma, Orange Is the New Black and Friday Night Lights. Along with her role on The Equalizer, Toussaint can be seen playing opposite Bryan Cranston on Your Honor on Showtime. Fun fact: Toussaint was born in Trinidad but moved to New York with her family when she was 10 years old.
Tory Kittles (Detective Marcus Dante)
Dante is a New York police detective who comes across McCall’s dealings and is on a hunt to uncover the identity of The Equalizer. Photo: Michael Greenberg/CBS ©2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Kittles’ previous television credits include True Detective, Sons of Anarchy and Colony. His film credits include Bessie (opposite Queen Latifah), Olympus Has Fallen and Tigerland. Fun fact: Kittles hails from the small town of Lawtey, Florida. The town has the dubious distinction of being one of only two official speed traps designated by the American Automobile Association.
Liza Lapira (Melody “Mel” Bayani)
Mel is a former colleague of Robyn’s and currently a bar owner in town. She knows her way around a gun and has laser precision aim. Photo: Barbara Nitke/CBS ©2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Lapira was previously on the CBS series, Battle Creek, with Josh Duhamel, Dean Winters and Kal Penn. Fun fact:Her nickname is Minnie.
Laya DeLeon Hayes (Delilah)
Hayes plays Robyn’s daughter, Delilah. Delilah believes her mother works for a non-profit which sends her around the world to advocate for their causes. Her previous credits include Grey’s Anatomy, Just Add Magic, Liv & Maddie and Quantico. Fun fact: Hayes has had a very successful career as a voiceover artist, voicing the titular role of Doc McStuffins since the age of 9.
When does The Equalizer premiere?
The Equalizer will premiere immediately after the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 7 (approximately 10 p.m. ET) on CBS.
When does The Equalizer come on?
Following the premiere, episodes will air weekly on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Is The Equalizer on Netflix?
Sadly, no.
How to watch The Equalizer on streaming
You can watch all four seasons of the classic ’80s series starring Edward Woodward on the NBC App (with commercials, no sign-in required). If you’re ready for the Queen Latifah-led Equalizer, you’ll have several streaming options—for the first two weeks. The first episode will stream free on Pluto TV, Prime video, YouTube after its network debut. Additional episodes will be available weekly on CBS All Access and CBS.com Queen Latifah tweeted a sneak peek on Friday.
Is there a trailer for The Equalizer?
Here’s the official trailer for the show.
Sneak peek spoilers for The Equalizer
Episode 2: “Glory” exclusive
Episode 3: “Judgement Day” exclusive
