CBS is making significant changes to its television lineup as it prepares for the 2025-2026 season, with a mix of cancellations and new series announcements that have left fans buzzing. The network confirmed it is not moving forward with a spinoff of its popular series The Equalizer, just days after airing a backdoor pilot episode titled "Sins of the Father" featuring actors Titus Welliver and Juani Feliz.
The backdoor pilot, which aired on April 20, 2025, saw Queen Latifah's character, Robyn McCall, contacted by Samantha Reed (Feliz) to help track down her missing father, ex-CIA agent Elijah Reed (Welliver). Despite the excitement surrounding the pilot, CBS has decided to cancel the spinoff, leaving fans of The Equalizer wondering about the future of the series itself.
As it stands, The Equalizer is the last remaining bubble show for CBS, which has not yet renewed it for a sixth season. The show's fifth season finale is set to air on May 4, 2025, and with financial concerns looming, Queen Latifah has reportedly made concessions to improve the show's chances of renewal. However, insiders suggest that if renewed, the sixth season may be a brief one, potentially wrapping up the series with just 13 episodes.
Meanwhile, CBS has announced several new series that will debut in the upcoming season. Among them is Boston Blue, a spinoff of the long-running series Blue Bloods. This new show will see Donnie Wahlberg reprise his role as Danny Reagan as he transitions to a new position with the Boston Police Department. The series is expected to air in fall 2025, following the conclusion of Blue Bloods, which ended its 14-season run in December 2024.
Wahlberg hinted at the potential for crossover appearances from familiar characters in Boston Blue, stating, "If anyone knows Danny Reagan, and if anyone knows me, I like surprises, and the Reagans will always just be a phone call away."
In addition to Boston Blue, CBS is also expanding the Fire Country franchise with a new spinoff titled Sheriff Country, starring Morena Baccarin as Sheriff Mickey Fox. This series is set to premiere in the 2025-2026 season, and Fire Country itself has been renewed for a fourth season.
Another spinoff, Crutch, has been greenlit following the cancellation of a different planned spinoff of The Neighborhood. Starring Tracy Morgan, Crutch focuses on Francois 'Frank' Crutchfield, a Harlem widower whose life is upended when his adult children move back home. Cedric The Entertainer, who plays Calvin Butler on The Neighborhood, expressed excitement about expanding the show's universe.
As CBS finalizes its schedule, it has also announced the cancellation of several shows, including FBI: Most Wanted, FBI: International, and S.W.A.T.. Despite their strong performances, these shows will not return for another season. The network will replace them with a new series titled CIA, starring Tom Ellis from Lucifer, which will focus on a joint FBI-CIA team on high-stakes missions in New York City.
Fans of CBS programming are left with mixed emotions as the network navigates its 2025-2026 lineup. While some beloved shows come to an end, new series promise fresh stories and characters. As CBS continues to refine its offerings, viewers can expect a blend of nostalgia and innovation in the upcoming season.
In summary, CBS is not moving forward with a spinoff of The Equalizer, which aired its backdoor pilot less than 48 hours prior to the cancellation announcement. Meanwhile, the network is launching several new series, including Boston Blue, Sheriff Country, and Crutch, while bidding farewell to long-running favorites like Blue Bloods and FBI franchises. With the finale of The Equalizer approaching, fans are left to wonder if this will be the last we see of Robyn McCall.
