CBS scraps plans for Equalizer spinoff while main show remains in renewal limbo

The Equalizer was gearing up to take a huge step forward in terms of its future. The crime drama was going to become a franchise thanks to a spinoff centered around two characters who were set up in the main show. Unfortunately, plans for the spinoff have been scrapped in record time.

The backdoor pilot for the untitled spinoff aired on April 20. Titus Welliver played Hudson Reed, a former CIA operative, and Juani Feliz played Samantha Reed, Hudson's daughter and a weapons expert in her own right. They were slated to be the co-leads of the spinoff, but CBS has decided to pull the plug on the idea before the 2025-26 season gets underway.

The spinoff recently had a backdoor pilot

“Sins of the Father” – McCall is contacted by Samantha Reed, whose father, ex-CIA agent Elijah Reed, is missing. While Samantha joins forces with the Equalizer team to track down the agency legend, she learns more about her family’s past in the Dominican Republic, on the CBS Original series THE EQUALIZER, Sunday, April 20 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+

Deadline did not provide an explanation for the spinoff being pulled, but the fact that it did so soon after being set up on The Equalizer raises some interesting questions about the main show. Namely, whether it will be renewed for another season. Things were looking good for the prospective series with a spinoff and a larger franchise planned, but we are heading toward the season 5 finale without any news regarding the future.

It's a bit alarming, especially considering the number of CBS titles that have secured renewals. The encouraging news, however, is that The Equalizer has not been canceled like FBI: Most Wanted or FBI: International. It's still on the bubble, and Deadline claims that the odds of the series coming back for a sixth season is currently 50/50.

CBS is still discussing an Equalizer renewal

“Sacrifice” – The team races to rescue a young hacker, who reminds Harry of his past self, being forced to hack for criminals. Meanwhile, Dante is back in town to visit his father and Mel makes a breakthrough in therapy, on the CBS Original series THE EQUALIZER, Sunday, Nov. 17 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode

Evidently, discussions regarding a renewal are still being held between CBS and Universal Television. And series star Queen Latifah has reportedly agreed to concessions in an effort to secure another season. Concessions are increasingly becoming the norm when it comes to renewal talk.

Blue Bloods stars Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan and Tom Selleck were reportedly forced to take pay cuts during the last few seasons of the CBS series. Over on NBC, the One Chicago franchise has taken steps to cut down costs by removing cast members from select episodes. It's gotten to the point where stars like Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett will not be returning for another season at all.

We can only hope that Latifah's concessions prove to be enough to bring The Equalizer back for another season. It's a shame we won't get to see the franchise expand, but at least we have a chance of seeing additional stories on the main (and now only) show.