These 'fantastic' spinoff plans make The Equalizer cancelation even worse (here's why)

The Equalizer had a good run. The crime drama ran for five seasons on CBS, and was poised to expand its network dominance with an additional season and a spinoff. Neither of these things have come to fruition. CBS has decided to pull the plug on The Equalizer, and the details about the spinoff make this news even tougher to swallow than it would have been otherwise.

The Equalizer showrunner, Joe Wilson, recently spoke to TV Insider about the plans for the franchise, and he made it clear that he had high hopes for the spinoff that was teased in a recent episode. "That [spinoff] would've been fantastic," he asserted to the outlet. "It would’ve been more of a different type of family dynamic."

Joe Wilson teased "better" version of main show

“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+

Wilson went on to praise the chemistry between the spinoff's projected stars, Titus Welliver. and Juani Feliz. He not only felt that the father-daughter dynamic between them would add a brand new dimension to The Equalizer brand, but could surpass the flagship series in terms of quality.

"I think it would’ve been," he said before pausing. "I don’t want to say a better version of what we’re doing. It just would’ve been a different version of seeing them foster their relationship. [Especially] as they continue to equalize where that was going to be."

Sounds pretty fantastic to us. Especially considering that we got a proof of concept in the episode "Sins of the Father." To Wilson's point, Welliver and Feliz proved compelling in their roles, and their interactions with Queen Latifah's titular character suggested a broadened version of the show that could have kept Robyn McCall onscreen for a bit longer.

The Equalizer was canceled due to budget costs

“Decisions” – While on a romantic getaway, McCall and Dante are abruptly ambushed by Salazar and his army. Meanwhile, Aunt Vi finally decides to take the next step in her relationship with Captain Curtis, and Dee meets with her favorite author who may be able to help her get into her dream university, on the fifth season finale of the CBS Original series THE EQUALIZER, Sunday, May 4 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for

Wilson also spoke candidly on the struggles that The Equalizer faced, and why the series was canceled. The showrunner admitted that budget was ultimately to blame, and that he sensed the series was coming to an end, hence his decision to not end the fifth season on a cliffhanger.

"Shows get a little older," Wilson stated. "We are going into our sixth season budget, and money becomes an issue. We weren’t sure what was going to happen, and if we did end up on that wrong side, we did not want the fans to feel incomplete or cheated in any way." The decision proved to be a wise one. We would have liked to have seen all the characters soldier on for another season and/or a full blown spinoff, but at least we got to spend the time with them that we did.