Queen Latifah Bids Farewell To The Equalizer Following CBS Cancellation After Five Seasons

May 03, 2025: After five impactful seasons, CBS has officially canceled The Equalizer, the hit crime drama starring and executive produced by Queen Latifah.

The show’s final episode will air on Sunday, May 4, serving as the series finale.

In an emotional Instagram post Friday night, Queen Latifah reflected on her time as Robyn McCall, the tough, justice-driven former CIA operative at the center of the show. Alongside her producing partner Shakim Compere, Latifah developed the series through their company, Flavor Unit.

“Stepping into a kick-ass role like Robyn was everything I hoped it would be,” she wrote. “Shakim and I at Flavor Unit are always excited to bring these kinds of roles and projects to life — and then we just hope you love them as much as we do. The Equalizer blew past every dream we had for it, and having the opportunity to do this for five seasons honestly feels surreal.”

Latifah also expressed deep gratitude for the show’s passionate fanbase: “Y’all have been so loyal, so loud, and so ride-or-die — and that’s exactly why we keep doing this. We can’t thank you enough. It means the world to us.”

To those already missing her as Robyn McCall, she added, “Don’t worry — I’ll be back kicking ass in something new real soon. Can’t wait to share it with you.”

As previously reported by Deadline, CBS came close to renewing The Equalizer for a shorter, 13-episode sixth season, which would have served as the final chapter. However, the network ultimately decided to conclude the series with Season 5.

A modern reboot of the 1980s classic, The Equalizer broke new ground by casting Queen Latifah in the lead role, making her only the fourth Black woman to headline a primetime network drama.