The plans for extending the worlds of two popular CBS shows have hit a wall. CBS has abruptly halted development on spin-offs for both “The Equalizer” and “The Neighborhood,” signaling a shift in the network’s programming approach and leaving potential new characters and storylines behind.
CBS confirmed it will not move forward with either project. The decision regarding “The Equalizer” spin-off, set to star Titus Welliver, came swiftly after its backdoor pilot episode aired this past Sunday. Meanwhile, the network also pulled the plug on the planned “The Neighborhood” offshoot, citing a crowded comedy lineup with limited available slots.
This news arrives alongside confirmation that the parent series “The Neighborhood” will conclude its run after its upcoming eighth season. The fate of “The Equalizer,” however, remains undecided, with a renewal decision still pending from the network.
The cancelled “Neighborhood” spin-off was preparing to follow characters Marty (Marcel Spears) and Marcel (Sheaun McKinney) as they relocated to Venice Beach. The supporting cast included Justin Long, Angelique Cabral, Kara Royster, and Hunter King. For “The Equalizer,” the scrapped spin-off represented a potential new direction led by Welliver’s character, introduced within the main series.
The cancellation of both spin-offs suggests CBS is re-evaluating its expansion strategies for established properties. While “The Neighborhood” prepares for its final bow, fans of “The Equalizer” must wait to see if Queen Latifah’s series will secure another season, even as its potential universe expansion has been stopped.
