The Equalizer proved to be an excellent vehicle for Queen Latifah when it premiered on CBS in 2021. It's grown in stature among fans, to the point where characters have even been set up for a spinoff in the near future. The thing is, the show's future is in jeopardy. The Equalizer may still be churning out solid episodes, but it's currently standing on shaky ground.
TV Line recently unveiled the Nielsen ratings for a slate of different procedural dramas. Tracker has proven to be the big winner for CBS, which makes sense given its relative newness and the fact that the network has already renewed it for a second season. The same cannot be said for The Equalizer, unfortunately.
The Equalizer has dipped 24% in ratings
The outlet confirmed that the Queen Latifah series came in 22nd place in primetime ratings. It fell short of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, both of which drew over 6 million viewers despite their recent cancelations. It also fell short of NCIS: Origins, a spinoff that has been renewed for a second season after drawing 6.1 million viewers.
The Equalizer drew 6 million viewers flat, which is 24% down from where it was last season. TV Line notes that the time slot change may have played a large role in the show's current struggles. It now airs at a much later time, which, historically, has made it difficult for shows to maintain their audience.
The diminished ratings does not help the show's case. Especially given that there have been reports of CBS' desire to trim costs. Deadline reported that Latifah has been renegotiating her contract deal with Universal Television. There have been no updates, but the outlet suspects that the best case scenario for The Equalizer would be renewal for one more season.
The series is setting up a spinoff title
Historically, the decision to set up a spinoff would be a good indication of a show's strength, but we have seen spinoffs get axed in favor of newer, cheaper ones in recent months. If CBS is wanting to cut down on the cost of The Equalizer, while maintaining the brand, than it may be looking at the untitled series tentatively set to star Titus Welliver and Juani Feliz as a way to do so.
Welliver's character, Hudson Reed, will be introduced alongside Feliz's Samantha Reed in the April 20 Equalizer episode "Sins of Our Father." The former will be a former CIA operative with a connection to Latifah's titular character. We will keep our fingers crossed for both the renewal of The Equalizer and the success of the spinoff (which Latifah would likely cameo on). But it doesn't look great.