The Equalizer‘s Liza Lapira Previews a Mel-Centered, Action-Packed Episode
Fans of CBS‘ The Equalizer who have been longing to learn more about Mel are about to get their wish.
This Sunday’s episode, titled “Shooter” (8/7c), places the beloved supporting character front and center as she helps Robyn solve a case involving a lone sniper who begins shooting and killing innocent New Yorkers at random.
A military-trained marksman herself, Mel steps in and fills in the blanks so that no one else will get hurt. Along the way, viewers will learn what happened to Mel when she was active-duty, as well as the sexist detractors she had to leave behind.
“We have such an open line of communication with the writers and executive producers,” Liza Lapira, who plays Mel, tells TVLine. “I asked them why Mel left and Robyn stayed, and they created this amazing backstory that fans of the show will see and hopefully enjoy as much as I did bringing it to life. Until they gave Mel this storyline, I was working with a template I created in my mind to inform my performance. But this is even better than what I initially imagined.”
Without giving too much away, there is an impressive scene in the installment where a leather-clad Mel kicks the bad guy’s butt using sleek martial arts moves and hand-to-hand combat.
“The fight choreography was so much fun,” the Unbelievable and Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 alum shares. “It was choreographed down to the last inch, and it was like learning a dance. My stunt double was amazing, and she helped me and mirrored the choreography as I did it. The whole thing felt like a dance performance from a Broadway show. I’m so proud that we were able to do that.”
Lapira, who is Filipino American, feels equally honored that her character Mel shares her heritage and that her name, “Bayani,” is authentically Tagalog.
“It means so much to me to have my character be unambiguously Filipino,” Lapira beams. “There is more to Mel than her ethnicity. She’s also ex-military. She’s a New Yorker, and she is a hard-partying bartender. But including all of her background makes Mel a fully realized human being, and that feels good. As the show goes on, my hope is that we’ll learn even more about Mel, where she comes from, and who her family is.”
Until that happens, Equalizer fans will continue to see the madly-in-love Mel and Harry as they help Robyn and each other. Lapira says she feels fortunate to play opposite Adam Goldberg, who plays her hubby Harry and makes the interactions between their characters a joyful experience.
“Adam and I met and hit it off immediately,” Lapira reveals. “He’s such a good guy. I’m so happy that people think we make a good couple. On the surface, Mel and Harry seem like opposites, but they both have a thirst for justice, they have the same level of professionalism and intensity, and they love each other deeply. What’s not to love about that?”
Are you excited to get to know this side of Mel? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
Love The Equalizer and so Happy to see Liza Lapira’s character. Proud to know she is a Filipino and a Bad Ass Pinay on the show!!
A Mel-centered episode sounds awesome.
Thank you!! No more of the manipulated woke storylines with such an excellent cast! Lil Bit be handling sharp shooter back up! My girls have traveled the world with me for NSA/military so they knew the family job!! Oh Latifah is on my fave female rappers list so add that skill to a fun family storyline like when she jammed in car!! Now today is HGTV/ DIY/NatGeo day….
Excellent cast
Yasss! 😆 Can’t wait to see this. Mel & Harry are awesome together, when the show started at first I was like……this dude looks familiar then come to know it’s Adam Goldberg! Haven’t seen him in awhile on tv or movies. Overall from top to bottom The Equalizer has a GREAT CAST!🙌
Very nice
I love Mel, Harry and how she’s there to help Robyn! I love the show!! I can’t wait to see what happens each week. Hope they keep this show going!!!
I am so happy that Liz and Adam have found shows that they can stay on for more than 13 episodes. They are shinning on the Equalizer. Can’t wait to see Liz kick it. I’ve never seen this side of her. Happy!
Liza Lapira is the best part of The Equalizer, hands down.
I love the sweet couple Mel and Harry but Mel shows women don’t have to be weak cuz she’s a badazz.
Yes! I’m so glad to learn more about Mel. She is an amazing character. I love the relationship between her and Harry. It’s so authentic. I LOVE the show period. Dante is incredible in his role. Omg. I am a Queen Latifah fan from way back. UNITY! I started wearing Afro Centric attire because if Queen Latifah. I was upset that she switched up but every one has to evolve. I still wear the attire because I’m proud of my Culture and People. Queen made me aware of this. At this age of maturity, I am affectionately called “Queen”. Much success Queen Latifah and Cast. YAL ROCK!
I love this show, and i love all the characters. I am excited to find out more about Mel and Harry. I also want Mc Call and the detective to fall in love and work together. They need to calm the daughter down a lot. She is extremely disrespectful for a black child. She is almost out of character. She is on the verge of being too much. Everything else is perfect. Keep up the excellent work. Aunt Vy is perfect. She really portrays a great aunt.
Spot on about everything you said. The daughter does need to calm down and stay in a childs place, but she did her thing with that Karen.
Who picks wardrobe and where can we shop the episodes?
I just love this show! I’m an old fart that watched the original. This updated version is truly an Great show!!! Better than the original in every way. The cast is perfect. Queen Latifah shows again what a brilliant actor she is. The casting of Lorraine Toussaint as “Aunt Vi” & of Laya DeLeon Hayes as “Delilah” make for a perfect family dynamic. Adam Goldberg & Liza Lapira are a quirky, fun, odd, deadly (she is anyway) couple. It was so good to get to know so much more about Liza’s character her background, to see her brought forward in the story to be such a primary part was great! Not only is she a sniper but she’s a deadly hand to hand combatant too! I hope this show runs for a long time. With a great cast, terrific writers, directors, editors & crew how can it not.
Love that show and everyone on it.
They have taken it off regular TV and it seems to be “jumping around on pay channels.” The last episode that I got to watch was on Pluto. Now, I can’t find any current episodes.