The Shocking ‘Equalizer’ Spin-Off We Almost Got: Titus Welliver’s CIA Family Drama That Never Happened

While The Equalizer wrapped up its five-season run on CBS with a series finale that offered fans much-needed emotional closure, there was more in store for fans within the universe of the show. As it turns out, the series was setting up something bigger: a spin-off featuring Bosch star Titus Welliver. The project, which was never brought to fruition, would have introduced a thrilling new chapter to the Equalizer universe, one that many fans will never get to see.

In an exclusive interview with TV Insider, showrunner Joe Wilson revealed details about the canceled spin-off series, one that was introduced during the Equalizer episode on April 20, 2023. The episode acted as a backdoor pilot, setting up a potential new series that ultimately didn’t make it past the concept stage.

The Spin-Off That Never Was

The backdoor pilot featured Welliver as Elijah Reed, a former CIA agent, alongside Juani Feliz, who played his daughter, Samantha Reed. Their characters were entangled in a web of CIA secrets, with Samantha contacting Robyn McCall (played by Queen Latifah) after her father mysteriously disappears. The episode delved into uncovering pieces of Elijah’s covert past, setting up a new mission that would lead Samantha to Atlanta—a natural progression toward what could have been a spin-off series.

Wilson expressed regret over the cancellation of the project, calling it a missed opportunity. “That [spin-off] would’ve been fantastic,” he said. He described the proposed series as a father-daughter duo, with Welliver’s Elijah and Feliz’s Samantha navigating their complex relationship as they continued to “equalize” in their own way. “Titus Welliver is a fantastic actor. Juani Feliz is a star. She is a rising star, and we were looking forward to getting to see her kick ass and unpack all the lies that happened over her whole life,” Wilson added.

The show would have been set in Atlanta, offering a fresh dynamic that focused on this father-daughter relationship and their shared mission, which Wilson noted would have offered a different “family dynamic” compared to the original show.

The End of The Equalizer and What Could Have Been

Unfortunately, the spin-off never materialized as CBS decided to pass on the series, and the disappointment didn’t end there. Just days before the Season 5 finale, it was revealed that The Equalizer itself would be coming to an end. While the announcement was a blow to fans, Wilson and his creative team made sure that the final episode would still offer closure.

Wilson reflected on the finale’s definitive tone, saying, “We didn’t want to end with a cliffhanger. Shows get a little older. We are going into our sixth season budget, and money becomes an issue. We weren’t sure what was going to happen, and if we did end up on that wrong side, we did not want the fans to feel incomplete or cheated in any way. So we designed it in a way that can feel like an ending, but there’s so much more to unpack.” The finale saw Robyn and Dante (Tory Kittles) get engaged, while Mel (Liza Lapira) and Harry (Adam Goldberg) reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their equalizing mission.

A Legacy of Equalizing and What’s Next for Fans

Despite the show’s conclusion, fans still have the chance to revisit the world of The Equalizer by streaming all five seasons on Paramount+. While the spin-off featuring Welliver’s character will remain a “what could have been” scenario, it’s clear that the Equalizer universe had much more to offer. The episode with Welliver and Feliz served as a tantalizing glimpse into what could have been an exciting new chapter in the series.

The end of The Equalizer may mark the conclusion of one story, but it certainly leaves the door open for more in this universe. Fans can still hold out hope for future spin-offs, and with the rich storytelling potential, it wouldn’t be surprising to see The Equalizer inspire new projects in the years to come.

In the meantime, fans can continue to relive the action and emotional moments of The Equalizer on streaming platforms, keeping the spirit of the show alive for as long as they want.