CBS is set to expand its successful The Equalizer franchise with a potential spinoff led by Titus Welliver (Bosch) and Juani Feliz (Harlem). The two actors will debut in episode 16 of the current fifth season, airing this spring, as CBS tests the waters for an offshoot series featuring their characters. This move continues the network’s strategy of introducing new storylines and potential spinoffs organically within its existing series.
The current iteration of The Equalizer, which premiered in 2021, stars Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, a former CIA operative who uses her extensive skill set to help those in need. The show has been a consistent ratings success and has remained a top-10 program in total viewership since its debut. The main cast also includes Tory Kittles as Detective Marcus Dante, Adam Goldberg as tech expert Harry Keshegian, Liza Lapira as sniper Melody “Mel” Bayani, Laya DeLeon Hayes as Robyn’s teenage daughter Delilah, and Lorraine Toussaint as Robyn’s Aunt Vi. The series, produced by Universal Television in association with CBS Studios, will move to a 10 p.m. timeslot starting february 18.
Titus Welliver will portray Hudson Reed, a former top CIA operative with a dark secret who shares a connection with Robyn McCall (Queen Latifah) through a mutual mentor. Juani Feliz will play Samantha Reed, Hudson’s daughter, who has been trained as a weapons expert, martial artist, and master of disguise while concealing her own enigmatic past. This two-lead format would mark a departure from The Equalizer franchise’s traditional focus on a single protagonist, offering a fresh dynamic for viewers.
The spinoff, if greenlit, would join CBS’s growing lineup of multi-series franchises, which already includes NCIS and FBI. The network has successfully used this approach before, with Fire Country serving as a recent example. The dual-lead structure of the proposed Equalizer offshoot aligns with CBS’s strategy of exploring character-driven narratives within familiar universes.
The Equalizer franchise began in 1985 with Edward Woodward as the original lead, Robert McCall. The series focused on a retired intelligence agent using his skills to help people in danger. It was later adapted into a successful film franchise starring Denzel Washington, which further popularized the story. The current CBS reboot, led by Queen Latifah, reimagines the iconic character while maintaining the core themes of justice and redemption, blending high-stakes action with personal storytelling.
Titus Welliver, best known for his decade-long portrayal of Harry Bosch in Bosch and Bosch: Legacy, brings a wealth of experience to his role in the Equalizer universe. His other notable credits include Lost, Sons of Anarchy, Deadwood, and films like Argo and Gone Baby Gone. Juani Feliz, currently appearing in the third season of Harlem, has a growing resume that includes Fleishman Is in Trouble, DMZ, and the upcoming Alex Garland film Civil War. Both actors add star power and depth to the potential series.
As CBS builds out The Equalizer into a multi-series franchise, the addition of Welliver and Feliz signals a commitment to expanding its legacy while introducing fresh perspectives and narratives. Fans of the franchise and newcomers alike can look forward to an exciting evolution of the Equalizer universe.