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Queen Latifah can’t save “The Equalizer” herself.
In a recent interview with Us Weekly, the 55-year-old actress revealed that she does not have control over the fate of her CBS drama series, which was axed by the network after a successful five-season run.
“It is a little out of my hands in terms of what happens with it from this point forward,” Latifah said.
“But I do appreciate what we were able to do and we made some good TV,” she added.
Latifah, who was both the lead star and an executive producer on the show, admitted that she’s still “processing” the cancellation.
She reflected on the significance of the show in her life, saying, “It dawned on me that the series has been a significant part of my life for more than five years now. I am filled with gratitude. I am truly thankful for the loyal fans of the show who have supported us through it all.”
Expressing her appreciation, Latifah acknowledged CBS for giving them a platform, her fellow producers, the talented cast she worked alongside, and the crew, writers, and showrunners who contributed to the show’s success. She also extended her thanks to the dedicated fans who stood by the series.
“The Equalizer” was a reboot of the 1985 series of the same name starring Edward Woodward.
The show also starred Tory Kittes, Adam Goldberg, Liza Lapira, Laya DeLeon Hayes and Lorraine Toussaint. It was nominated for several awards, including BET, the NAACP Image Awards, People’s Choice, and Critics’ Choice.
The first episode aired after the 2021 Super Bowl and scored more than 20 million live viewers, but the ratings declined over the years.
When the primetime thriller wasn’t renewed alongside other CBS shows in February, Deadline reported Latifah “agreed to concessions” to help the show’s chances at getting renewed for a 13-episode sixth and final season.
But CBS ultimately canceled the series on May 2, just two days before the Season 5 finale aired, due to finances.
The network also shafted a planned spinoff starring Titus Welliver and Juani Feliz.
Latifah released a statement on Instagram after her series was canceled and said her “kick-ass role” as Robyn McCall “was everything I hope it would be.”
“‘The Equalizer’ blew past every dream we had for it, and having the opportunity to do this for five seasons honestly feels surreal,” she wrote.
Latifah also thanked the show’s “loyal” and “ride-or-die” fans, adding, “That’s exactly why we keep doing this. We can’t thank you enough. It means the world to us.”