The Equalizer (2020 TV series)
The Equalizer is a upcoming American crime/mystery/action television series that is set to debut on CBS in the 2020–21 television season as a Sunday night entry. This version, which is being produced by Universal Television and CBS Television Studios, is a reimagined and updated take on the original version of The Equalizer and both the 2014 and 2018 films, with executive producers Dana “Queen Latifah” Owens (who also stars in the lead role and a co-creator), Richard Lindheim (the co-creator of the original version), John Davis, John Fox, Debra Martin Chase, Andrew Marlowe and Terri Miller
The Equalizer | |
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Genre |
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Created by |
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Based on | The Equalizer by Richard Lindheim |
Starring |
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Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) |
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Camera setup | Single-camera |
Running time | 50 minutes |
Production company(s) |
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Distributor | NBCUniversal Television Distribution CBS Television Distribution |
Release | |
Original network | CBS |
Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) |
Chronology | |
Related shows | The Equalizer |
Premise
The series chronicles the life of Robyn McCall, an enigmatic woman and single mother to teenage daughter Delilah, with a mysterious background who uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn, acting as a guardian angel and a defender for those who cannot defend themselves while pursuing her own redemption.
Cast
- Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, aka "The Equalizer," an divorced single mother who acts as a vigilante for justice while pursuing her own vendettas
- Chris Noth as William Bishop, a quirky ex-CIA director
- Tory Kittles as Marcus Dante, an intelligent and shrewd NYPD detective
- Lorraine Toussaint as Frieda "Aunt Fry" Lascombe, Robyn's very wise and always truthful aunt, who lives with Robyn and Delilah
- Liza Lapira as Melody Chu, a former Air Force sniper turned bar owner and a colleague of Robyn.
Production
Development
On November 2019, CBS announced that a reboot is in development with Queen Latifah in the lead role as Robyn McCall. Andrew Marlowe and Terri Miller will serve as showrunners with Latifah herself as an executive producer.[1] On January 27, 2020, CBS issued a pilot order for the new version.[2] Production companies involved with the pilot include Flavor Unit, Davis Entertainment, Martin Chase Productions and CBS Television Studios and Universal Television. On May 8, 2020, it was announced that the production had been given a series order.[3]
Casting
In February 2020, it was announced that Liza Lapira and Lorraine Toussaint had been cast in the pilot's lead roles.[4][5] On March 3, 2020, it was announced that Tory Kittles joined the cast in a starring role.[6] On May 8, 2020, it was announced that Chris Noth is joined the starring role along with Latifah.[7]
Filming
The pilot was filmed in New York City, New York in March 2020, however one weeks later the production was delayed as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]
Trailers
On May 19, 2020, a 30 second teaser featuring Queen Latifah explaining her involvement in the series was released by CBS.[9]
References
- Sneider, Jeff (November 4, 2019). "'The Equalizer' TV Series Starring Queen Latifah in the Works at CBS". Collider.
- Andreeva, Nellie (January 27, 2020). "'The Equalizer Reboot Starring Queen Latifah Gets CBS Pilot Order". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
- Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2020). "Dramas 'The Equalizer' With Queen Latifah & 'Clarice', Chuck Lorre Comedy 'B Positive' Picked Up To Series By CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- Petski, Denise (February 25, 2020). "Liza Lapira Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' Reboot Pilot On CBS". Deadline. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- Andreeva, Nellie (February 28, 2020). "Lorraine Toussaint Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' Reboot Pilot On CBS". Deadline. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- Andreeva, Nellie (March 3, 2020). "Tory Kittles Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' Reboot Pilot On CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
- Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2020). "Chris Noth Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' CBS Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- Thorne, Will; Aurthur, Kate (March 12, 2020). "All the Shows and Movies Shut Down or Delayed Because of Coronavirus". Variety. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- “CBS New Series: ‘B Positive’ Trailer, ‘The Equalizer’ & ‘Clarice’ Teases” from Deadline Hollywood (May 19, 2020)