‘The Equalizer’ Renewed For Season 5 By CBS, ‘NCIS: Hawai’i’ Still In Limbo

CBS has picked up a fifth season of drama The Equalizer, starring and executive produced by Queen Latifah, for 2024-25.

As Deadline reported last week, the renewal was fully expected, with the delay related to lead studio Universal Television negotiating a deal with Queen Latifah. It recently closed, paving the way to a renewal.

So far, The Equalizer‘s seasons had been capped at 18 episodes, which is something top talent often request when signing on for a broadcast drama series. There was an effort in the Queen Latifah negotiation to increase the number to 20 or more but I hear Season 5 will again consist of 18 episodes.

After Elsbeth renewed and So Help Me Todd and CSI: Vegas canceled last week, NCIS: Hawai’i remains the only CBS scripted series in limbo. (All other CBS comedy and drams already have been picked up for next season, including veteran Blue Bloods, which will end its run with eight episodes in the fall.)

As Deadline reported last week, Hawai’i’s future is said to be the subject of tough business conversations, with a partial Season 4 of 13 or fewer episodes still a possibility. It could be a final chapter for the show, the first installment in the NCIS franchise with a female lead.

The Equalizer has been a strong performer for CBS, currently ranking as the #8 most watched among all non-sports broadcast programs, averaging 7.89M linear viewers (in Nielsen most current data) and over 10 million viewers in Live+35 multi-platform viewership. It also is the #1 entertainment program among African Americans.

“The Equalizer, led by the incomparable Queen Latifah, has all the best elements of a powerful drama,” said Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment. “The series is stacked with suspense, heroism, high stakes and formidable characters our audience roots for. We look forward to another dynamic season.”

Co-produced by CBS Studios, The Equalizer is one of four drama series Universal Television, part of Universal Studio Group, makes for CBS, along with the three FBIs, all of which were also recently renewed, the flagship for three seasons.

A reimagining of the classic series, The Equalizer stars Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, an enigmatic woman with a mysterious background who uses her extensive skills as a former CIA operative to help those with nowhere else to turn.

Lorraine Toussaint, Tory Kittles, Adam Goldberg, Liza Lapira and Laya DeLeon Hayes also star. Andrew Marlowe, Terri Edda Miller, co-showrunners Joseph C. Wilson and Adam Glass, Dana Owens (Queen Latifah), John Davis, John Fox, Debra Martin Chase, Richard Lindheim (co-creator of the original series), Shakim Compere, Joseph C. Wilson and Loretha Jones are executive producers. The Equalizer airs on CBS and is available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+.