The Equalizer is an American action crime drama television series, originally airing on CBS from September 18, 1985, to August 24, 1989, which was co-created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. It starred the English actor Edward Woodward as Robert McCall, a retired intelligence agent with a mysterious past, who uses the skills from his former career to exact justice on behalf of innocent people who find themselves in dangerous circumstances, while sometimes also dealing with people from his past in covert operations who want to pull him back in or settle old scores. In the years after its cancellation, the show has received a cult following that inspired further works, including three feature films and a re-imagined series.

Series plot elements The series stars British actor Edward Woodward as Robert McCall, a former covert operations officer of an unnamed American government intelligence organization, which was often referred to simply as "the Agency" or "the Company", who tries to atone for his past by offering, usually free of charge, his services as a troubleshooter, a protector, and an investigator.

People in need found him through a newspaper classified ad: "Got a problem? Odds against you? Call the Equalizer: 212 555 4200." When he began the business in the pilot episode, the nickname "Equalizer" was revealed as bestowed on him by an operative named "Brahms", played by Jerry Stiller.

Aided by a group of sometimes mysterious contacts, some of whom date back to his spying days, McCall traverses the streets of New York City, delivering justice upon bullies, corrupt police officials and politicians, hoodlums, mobsters, rapists, racists, murderers, kidnappers, drug dealers, and other "truly deserving" people. "Please don't do anything you will never live to regret," he tells one villain."Mr. Roselli... Please don't do anything you will never live to regret." --Robert McCall, to Vic Rosell (played by Bill Cwikowski) of the West Grove Citizen's Patrol, in "The Line" - Season 2, Episode 8.

His contacts were also prone to human foibles that ranged from egoism to domestic problems.

Many episodes focused on McCall interacting with "Control" (played by Robert Lansing), the unnamed head of the Manhattan office of the secret organization for which McCall used to work. As a general rule, however, the people responding to the newspaper ad were unremarkable, average, and unknown.

McCall's Jaguar XJ saloon car, weapons, and other gadgetry at times featured significantly as elements in the plot.

Cast and characters

Main Edward Woodward as 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 to those who need it as The Equalizer. McCall himself is divorced, a "lost dad" 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 was also nominated in 1986 and 1987 for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama, winning in 1986. Keith Szarabajka as Michael "Mickey" Kostmayer (Also starring, 56 episodes): a former Navy SEAL, who was thrown in the brig for a crime he did not commit, until McCall cleared him and recommended he join The Company. He is often utilized to surveil suspects and protect clients and witnesses.

Recurring Robert Lansing as Control (29 episodes). A contemporary of McCall's in The Company who has risen to a senior rank; he and McCall are usually friendly, although at times Control's focus on the mission causes friction with McCall's desire to avoid collateral damage. Mark Margolis as Jimmy (16 episodes). Another Company veteran, Jimmy is an expert in surveillance, and McCall brings him in when high-tech bugs, wiretaps, tranquilizer guns, and such are required. William Zabka as Scott McCall (12 episodes). McCall's estranged son when the series begins, their relationship grows over the course of the series. Chad Redding as Sgt. Alice Shepard (10 episodes). An NYPD detective in the second through fourth seasons, who often assists McCall, recognizing that he can take action where she cannot. Redding appears ten times as Shephard, and once previously as Beth Mackie in season one before her new role. Richard Jordan as Harley Gage (10 episodes). Another disillusioned Company veteran, Gage was brought in by Richard Dyson (played by Robert Mitchum) to track down McCall when he goes missing in "Mission: McCall." This was done to lighten the load on Woodward after he suffered a heart attack. Maureen Anderman as Pete O'Phelan (8 episodes). The widow of McCall's former colleague and a former operative. Anderman had previously appeared as Eleanor Griffith in season one before her new role. Ron O'Neal as Lt. Isadore Smalls (7 episodes). An NYPD detective who assists McCall. Irving Metzman as Sterno (7 episodes). Another Company man, specializing in computers and finance. Steven Williams as Lt. Jefferson Burnett (6 episodes). An NYPD detective from the 83rd Precinct who is aware of McCall's past and is initially distrustful of him. Robert Joy as Jacob Stock (5 episodes). A Company operative who botches his first assignment with McCall, but manages to redeem himself in season one "The Defector." Ken Solarino as Jeremy (5 episodes). Pete O'Phelan's bartender. Eddie Jones as Lt. Brannigan (4 episodes). An NYPD detective. Jones had previously appeared as Mr. Winslow in season two before his new role. Melissa Sue Anderson as Yvette Marcel (4 episodes). The daughter of McCall's former lover Manon. Anderson is the real-life wife of series co-creator Michael Sloan. Christopher Murney as Rudy Bagler (3 episodes). An Agency reject, con-artist, and general nuisance. Joe Morton as Carter "Brockie" Brock (3 episodes). a Vietnam veteran and explosives expert. Morton had previously appeared as the villain Slate at the end of season two before his new role. Ray Baker as Dana Caldrin (3 episodes). An agent of The Company who occasionally aids McCall in his investigations. Jovial, generous and good-hearted, he is nonetheless an expert in the seedier side of New York life with a comprehensive knowledge of the city's sex industry. Dana is introduced in "The Lock Box" to save a teenage girl from trafficking. In "Desperately" he helps identify a hit-man. His last appearances is in "Dead Drop" as part of a team McCall uses to track suspects. Earl Hindman as Lt. Elmer (3 episodes). An NYPD detective at the 74th precinct in the second season. Starting with a brief appearance in the premiere episode "Prelude," his next appearances is in "The Cup," and last in "Coal Black Soul." Hindman had previously appeared as Findlay in "Breakpoint" in season one before his new role. Austin Pendleton as Jonah (3 episodes). A computer expert who helps McCall in seasons two and four. In season three, Jonah hacks "Ma Bell" off-screen; Pendleton does not actually appear in the episode. A. L. Sheppard as Detective Kelly (3 episodes). An NYPD detective in the fourth season. Sheppard previously appeared as an unnamed Forensic Detective in an earlier season four episode. Charles Cioffi as Lt. Kramer (3 episodes). An NYPD detective introduced in season two "Counterfire," and last seen in season three "Suspicion of Innocence." Yvonne Wilder as Lettie (3 episodes). McCall's housekeeper and mother of two boys, Jorge and Ishmael, who occasionally impact McCall's missions. Lettie is introduced in back-to-back season one episodes, "Wash Up" and "Torn," and last seen in season four, "The Sins of Our Fathers." Anthony Zerbe as Phillipe Marcel (3 episodes). A Canadian Police Inspector from Quebec and father to Yvette, who is the daughter of Manon, a Company agent and McCall's former lover. Phillipe is introduced in Memories of Manon, and is last see in season three, "The Mystery of Manon (Part 1)." Saul Rubinek as Jason Masur (3 episodes). A Company bureaucrat in season one who wants to push Control out of power and would like to "retire" McCall and other "old-guard" agents. He is introduced in "The Distant Fire" trying to capture a former operative who has turned freelance. McCall interferes, so Masur wants him taken out. When a subordinate protests, Masur declares, "There is no 'They,' I am the 'They.' To hell with Control." Masur returns in "Dead Drop" where he threatens to fire all of McCall's Company contacts. Later in "Torn," Masur hires McCall to capture an agent named Brian, who betrayed him years before. It is Rubinek's last appearance. Maurice Hines as Billie Bump (2 episodes). A Yale lawyer, Agency operative, and McCall's personal trainer introduced in the second season episode "Memories of Manon: Part 1" for an operation of "diversion and psychological warfare." His last appearance is in season three, "Shadow Play." Leonardo Cimino as Doctor Phil Molinari (2 episodes). A doctor in the Department of Health, Bureau of Contagious Diseases in season four, who helps the Medical Examiner and Dr. Lauren Demeter (Jenny Agutter) contain an outbreak in "The Visitation" and last seen in "17 Zebra." Cimino had previously appeared as mobster Thomas Marley Sr., the incarcerated father of Vincent D'Onofrio's character, in season two before his new role. Jack Gilpin as Harvey (2 episodes). A talkative pharmacy delivery man that tries to sell useless items and information to McCall, in "Desperately" and "Tip on a Sure Thing." Lori Loughlin as Jenny Morrow (2 episodes). The daughter of American journalist Frank Morrow who was kidnapped in season two, "Prelude" and later appears in "First Light" where she and Scott McCall date. Cleavant Derricks as Sonny Raines (2 episodes). An Agency operative who works for Control, but is always in danger of losing his job because of his gambling addiction. McCall pays his debt to trade for a favor in "Joyride," and utilizes his expertise in "Tip on a Sure Thing." John Bedford Lloyd as D.A. Francis Scanlon (2 episodes). A New York District Attorney in season three that pays back a favor to McCall in "Video Games" and provides insight about a murderer in "Target of Choice." Roma Maffia as Sindee (2 episodes). Dana's hooker acquaintance who first appears in "Desperately" to give McCall information about a hit-man. She helps Dana with intelligence again in "Dead Drop." Fred Williamson as Lt. Mason Warren (2 episodes). An NYPD detective at the 75th precinct in the first season, who assists McCall. He appears in back-to-back episodes, "Reign of Terror" and "Back Home." Robert Blumenfeld as Wilhite (2 episodes). A U.S. Treasury Department bank examiner who helps McCall in financial inquiries with his talent; "a sixth sense of all the dirt people hide in their books. If I wasn't a Bank Examiner, I'd be a Detective." Introduced in season one in "Back Home," Wilhite investigates a bank owner who is also a landlord. In season two, Wilhite is kept busy by the IRS, and checks if a business owner has "cooked" his books in "A Community of Civilized Men." Wendell Pierce as Dr. Cameron Wolff (2 episodes). A man "with a social conscience" and McCall's friend, who runs a neighborhood free clinic with a specialty in psychology. He is introduced giving his professional opinion in the season four premier, "The Last Campaign" and appears again in "Starfire." Harsh Nayyar as a Medical Examiner (2 episodes). An NYC coroner in season four, who performs an autopsy in "Sea of Fire" to graphically teach gang members about death. His last appearance is in "The Visitation."

Notable guest stars

The show had quite a number of notable guest stars, including well-established veteran actors, relative new-comers, and those making their television or screen debuts. Some became major stars within a few years of their appearances.

Musicians