For many CBS viewers, The Equalizer came to an end too soon — but is there a chance Queen Latifah‘s show could return?
“It is a little out of my hands in terms of what happens with it from this point forward,” Latifah, 55, exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting her partnership with Novo Nordisk. “But I do appreciate what we were able to do and we made some good TV.”
Latifah noted how proud she was of the final product, adding, “I am processing [the cancellation]. It occurred to me that it has been such a big part of my life for the last — more than — five years actually. I’m thankful. I’m very grateful. I’m in a very grateful place. I’m grateful to the fans of the show for sticking with it.”
The experience was a positive highlight in Latifah’s prolific career.
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“I appreciate CBS putting us on and my producing partners and the wonderful cast I got to work with,” Latifah continued. “They became my family. There is also this wonderful crew, writers, showrunners and everybody was involved in it. And really the fans who rocked with us.”
While reflecting on The Equalizer‘s time on CBS, Latifah acknowledged the challenges, which included delays over the times.
“Whether the time got moved here or there, the fans are approaching me on the street, like, ‘Where is my show?’” she added before joking, “I’m tired of getting rolled up on because sometimes they choose violence when they want their show. I’m just kidding. They have to tune in [whenever it aired].”
Based on the original series of the same name, The Equalizer, which premiered in 2021, centered on Queen Latifah’s character who used her mysterious background and extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn. Days before the show wrapped up its fifth season, CBS confirmed that The Equalizer was canceled.
The decision not to bring The Equalizer back came after fans questioned online why every Sunday shows on CBS — including Tracker and Watson — were pushed back. The answer is sports, since CBS is home to football broadcasts, but that has affected Tracker, Watson and The Equalizer’s airtime.
“I made this show for my grandmother — who’s sitting right in that recliner watching it. And she just said, ‘I just love that action.’ Then some of the guys in my life, they’re like, ‘I just love the family aspect].’ It’s just so interesting what people love about The Equalizer,” Latifah noted to Us. “But I appreciate everyone that tuned in to watch it. They can still catch it on Netflix and they’ll catch the 72 episodes that there are to watch.”
Latifah continued: “I am onto the next one. There will be a lot more to come. Y’all know me, I’m always going to do something else and so will this brilliant cast. So just keep an eye out for them and all the wonderful things they’re going to do.”
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Currently, Latifah is focused on partnering with Novo Nordisk to highlight the increased risk of cardiovascular-related conditions.
“Obesity is a disease and many people are living with it. It impacts 2 out of 5 Americans. That is a lot of people — and it disproportionately affects people of color and it’s a chronic disease. But it’s manageable. So the goal is to bring attention to this,” Latifah explained. “Many people are living with this disease. But also it is important to raise awareness about the connection between living with obesity and cardiovascular disease. 70 percent of people living with obesity are at risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, heart attack or a stroke. We want to make sure that they are aware of this and that if they can do something about it that they’re able to do.”
Latifah added: “There’s a website we have called TruthAboutWeight.com where people can go to get lots of information and then hopefully talk to their physician about what to do next or how to have a conversation with someone that they’re concerned about who’s living with obesity and create a plan. So we can start knocking these numbers.”
