Fans of a beloved CBS series will be disappointed to learn that the network has officially axed the show after airing five seasons. With that many seasons under its belt, it’s plenty of time for viewers to become attached to the show’s ongoing story and characters, but sadly it looks like viewers will have to consider the show’s fifth season the end.
Despite a dedicated fan base and generally favorable reviews, the show will not return for another season, concluding its run. While no specific reason was given for the cancellation, a combination of viewership metrics and budget considerations are likely contributors.
The cancellation leaves fans wondering what might have been – if things had played out differently.
As shared in a new report, what makes this announcement even more disappointing, is that the series “was the last CBS scripted series or pilot awaiting to learn their fate ahead of the network’s 2025-26 schedule announcement on May 7.” While fans were no doubt hopeful that the silence could have been a good thing, it clearly wasn’t as the CBS series has been canceled with only five seasons.
Here’s what Deadline specifically shared:
“CBS has opted not to renew crime drama The Equalizer, starring and executive produced by Queen Latifah, for a sixth season.”
While such shows can find new homes after being canceled by one network, it looks like there isn’t even hope for that opportunity when it comes to The Equalizer. It’s been said that “there are no plans for The Equalizer, produced by Universal Television, part of Universal Studio Group, to be shopped.” As such, the show’s “Season 5 finale now will serve as a series finale.”
The series was initially planned to have a sixth season produced. Fortunately, it looks like things aren’t completely downhill from here. While it’s unclear how the show’s fifth season will end, it’s been said that the creative team “crafted the Season 5 finale in a way that it could potentially serve as a series finale.”
At least fans will have some kind of closure when the fifth season ends this newest iteration of The Equalizer. It would have certainly been nice to see a proper sixth season released, but times are tough when it comes to our current state of television, so hopefully fans won’t be too disappointed. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for more TV industry news as we have it.