The Equalizer season 5 is set to premiere on CBS on Sunday, October 20 at 9:30 PM ET. It will then move to its regular timeslot at 9 PM ET where it will be preceded by new episodes of Tracker season 2, which is the highest-rated drama on broadcast television. But as it prepares to return, the cast of characters will look a little different, at least initially.

A new update from TVLine for The Equalizer season 5 confirms that Mel Bayani (Liza Lapira) and Marcus Dante (Tory Kittles) will both return in the episodes. But even though they will still be involved, audiences shouldn't expect either Mel or Marcus to be back right away after the developments that occurred in the previous season. Read the update below:

They will both be back, but maybe not back back just yet. Lipira’s Mel, as you know, walked away from Equalizing, but guilt will consume her as she sees McCall and Harry face unprecedented danger due to her absence. Kittles’ Dante, meanwhile, moved to L.A. to the FTF, but juggling that new gig and a very personal matter will start to take its toll on McCall’s ex.

The Equalizer's Changes For Mel & Marcus, Explained

Marcus Found A New Job

The challenge posed in The Equalizer season 4 ending is two-fold. On one hand, lead character Robyn McCall (Queen Latifah) and NYPD Detective Marcus Dante finally kiss. But the long-awaited milestone is bittersweet and complicated by other factors. Marcus receives a promotion and a salary increase that, at least for the moment, puts his relationship with Robyn on the back burner. But as the latest update makes clear, Marcus isn't out of the picture for good.

Mel also has her own decisions to make, reeling from the trauma of the previous season and the need to be rescued. Although she quit the team, she'll still have a presence in the episodes. But the series also has to honor what the character has gone through, given that a quick resolution calls the stakes of The Equalizer into question.

The CBS show also has to find ways to keep its story fresh after establishing itself as a hit and heading into the status of a veteran series.

The CBS show also has to find ways to keep its story fresh after establishing itself as a hit and heading into the status of a veteran series. That may mean mixing things up with The Equalizer cast, even though neither of the familiar characters is officially exiting the series. They may be trying different things, but they're not going too far.

Source: TVLine