The Equalizer (1985 TV series)

Series plot elements

British actor Edward Woodward plays Robert McCall, a man who once worked as a covert agent for an unnamed American intelligence group, sometimes called "the Agency" or "the Company." Seeking to make up for his past, he offers his skills as a fixer, bodyguard, and detective, usually without charging a fee. Those needing help reach him through a classified ad in the newspaper: "Got a problem? Odds against you?

Call the Equalizer: 212 555 4200." The nickname "Equalizer" was given to him by a fellow operative named Brahms, portrayed by Jerry Stiller. With assistance from a network of shadowy contacts, many from his spy days, McCall moves through New York City, meting out justice to bullies, crooked cops, politicians, gangsters, rapists, and others he deems truly deserving. His contacts have their own flaws, from selfishness to family troubles.

Several episodes center on his dealings with Control, played by Robert Lansing, who runs the Manhattan office of McCall's former organization. McCall's Jaguar XJ sedan, his firearms, and various gadgets often play important roles in the stories.

Cast and characters

Edward Woodward portrays Robert McCall, a veteran operative of The Company who becomes disillusioned with sacrificing ordinary people for the perceived greater good. He quits and takes out a newspaper advert offering his services as The Equalizer. McCall is divorced and long estranged from his son, Scott (William Zabka). Woodward was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series four years in a row but never won, and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama in 1986.

Keith Szarabajka plays Michael "Mickey" Kostmayer, a former Navy SEAL cleared by McCall and recommended to The Company, often utilized to surveil suspects and protect clients. Robert Lansing appears as Control, a senior Company contemporary of McCall's; their relationship is usually friendly, though Control's focus on the mission sometimes causes friction. Mark Margolis plays Jimmy, a Company veteran expert in surveillance. William Zabka appears as Scott McCall, McCall's estranged son whose relationship with his father grows over the series.

Chad Redding portrays Sgt. Alice Shepard, an NYPD detective who often assists McCall. Richard Jordan plays Harley Gage, another disillusioned Company veteran brought in to track down McCall after Woodward suffered a heart attack.

Maureen Anderman appears as Pete O'Phelan, the widow of McCall's former colleague. Ron O'Neal plays Lt. Isadore Smalls, an NYPD detective. Irving Metzman portrays Sterno, a Company man specializing in computers and finance.

Reception

After the broadcast of the first episode in September 1985, the show received mixed reviews. Critic Tom Shales wrote in The Washington Post that "to judge from this very attractively atmospheric premiere, [the show] could become a welcome guest in many an American home." However, Jeff Jarvis wrote for People: "The plot's confusing and the show's as erratic as a pacemaker on low batteries." Edward Woodward received four consecutive Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (1986–1989) but never won.

He also received Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama in 1986 and 1987, winning in 1986. The series earned additional Emmy nominations: Michael Moriarty for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 1989, and Shirley Knight for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series in 1989. Lois Planco received Artios Award nominations for Best Casting for Dramatic Episodic Television in 1986, 1987, and 1989. The episode "The Cup" won the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Episode in a TV Series in 1987.

Adaptations

A film starring Denzel Washington in the title role, very loosely based upon the series, was released in September 2014. It was followed by a sequel, The Equalizer 2, released on July 20, 2018, and a third film, The Equalizer 3, released on September 1, 2023.

In November 2019, CBS announced a reboot with Queen Latifah in the lead role as Robyn McCall, which premiered on February 7, 2021, after Super Bowl LV. Michael Sloan wrote a series of novels about the character, beginning with The Equalizer in 2014, followed by Killed in Action: An Equalizer Novel in 2018, and Equalizer: Requiem in 2020. The novels are a modern reimagining of the original series and feature original recurring characters such as Mickey Kostmayer, Control, and Scott McCall.

Did You Know?

• The show's theme music, titled 'Busy Equalizing', was created by Stewart Copeland.
• The series was translated into Afrikaans for broadcast in South Africa as 'Die laaste uitweg'.
• A crossover episode with Magnum, P.I. was scripted but never filmed; the script was adapted into the episode 'Beyond Control'.