The Equalizer‘s Queen Latifah Weighs In on Chris Noth’s Exit Amid Assault Allegations: ‘Justice Has to Prevail’
Just over a month after Chris Noth was fired from CBS‘ The Equalizer, series star Queen Latifah has addressed the “delicate situation” involving sexual assault allegations against her former co-star.
“It’s still surreal. It’s such a dicey, delicate situation that requires a great deal of respect. That’s a personal thing that he’s going to have to deal with,” Latifah told People in an interview published Monday. “And my feeling is justice has to prevail regardless. I just want the right things to be done, you know?”
Since last December, five women have come forward with allegations of sexual assault and misconduct against Noth, claims that the actor called “categorically false.” Days after the accusations surfaced, CBS confirmed Noth’s exit from The Equalizer. Since his final appearance in the Jan. 2 episode (which was filmed before the imbroglio), one episode has aired that did not address his character, William Bishop, at all — and according to Latifah, a decision has not yet been made regarding how Bishop’s permanent exit will be handled.
“We are figuring out what we want to do creatively on the show and how we’re going to deal with that character,” she continued. “Chris’s character is obviously a big part of the show, and it was amazing chemistry.”
New episodes of The Equalizer resume Sunday, Feb. 27; TVLine has reached out to CBS for further details on Bishop’s departure.
As TVLine exclusively reported earlier this month, a planned cameo from Noth in the upcoming finale of HBO Max’s And Just Like That… has been scrapped in the wake of the allegations. The fitness company Peloton also pulled a recent ad featuring Noth, in which the actor poked fun at Mr. Big’s death in the And Just Like That… premiere.
Glad Noth is losing his income.
Its almost scary how frequently these reports are happening these days. Just how many predatory guys are there in the industry? I cant help but think something more should be done to protect women against guys like him and stop them from ever breaking the law.
More like it’s coming to light because people feel slightly safer reporting these guys to the public.
I bet so many crew members have so many horrifying stories on what they’ve seen happen with these types of predators.
It’s just too bad cops don’t care to listen to these horrifying events which is a huge part of why this stays happening way too often
They have a right to be heard but believed is a different story. The timing of this coming out after the Mr. Big character dies has publicist written all over it . If he truly told the one” victim ” that should not tell or he would ruin her music career that is an issue ..How do you prove it ? Her discrption of the physical encounter seems like more regret than harm. Waters down what real victims of sexual assault go through. .
I don’t get if you had an issue with some one that you wouldn’t address it privately first and then if they were smug go public. He is totally wiped off the face of the planet with no way to defend himself and people are too afraid to stand up for them. There has to be a much better way to handle this . Two things can be true at once Regret doesn’t make you a victim just threats to one career toothless or not should not be tolerated.
“He is totally wiped off the face of the planet with no way to defend himself ” —- Wait, What? Nobody came with a space ray and de-materialized his atoms. He got fired from a job.
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He has a history decades long of physically abusing women and being inappropriate.
That people aren’t publicly supporting him could have to do with being well aware of how he is,
What waters down what “real” sexual assault victims go through is everything you just said.
Show me some evidence…Anyone can accuse another person of something like that. Where is the proof?
You got that right. Accusations with no evidence to prove right or wrong.
I agree…he doesn’t have a chance now.
We’ll see if you feel the same when you’re falsely accused, or when you say or do something that offends cancel culture. Freedom of speech is only true if you agree with the nonsense.
Her response is both dignified and professional. It would be easy to for her to rant about him but she clearly wants to put her faith in the system and knows what will be will be.
I wish they had recasted the character of Bishop.
I agree. The show will really miss that character. Nothing wrong with a recast, especially so early in the run. Shows do it all the time
I looooooooved watching every single episode of Sex And The City and I was over the moon when I discovered Big and Carrie had married….
But now we’ve come to the end and the ‘BIG’ we were all cheering on has left (at least me) deflated
Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?
We do not know the whole story. One would hope he was allowed to answer the accusation before he was fired and his reputation ruined. Hopefully, all parties had their day in court.
Just my opinion.
What took these ladies so long to tell? 10 years. Is a long time. Sounds like BS to me. If it really happened or it really bothered them , they should have spoke out years earlier. Just like that sucks!!! Sex in the city was a lot better.
I say keep the character and just recast it. The show has a delightful chemistry and mix, so they should keep it going. I would be totally satisfied if they had another actor playing the part. They’ve done that, successfully, with other shows in the past, i.e. Bewitched.
Its disturbing to me, n by the way I’m a woman, that others accused people years n years later of accusations without merit. Why do women wait to tell their stories of abuse, rape, or being touch inappropriately … All this time Chris North was on SNC no one said a word. I hope they reconsider his role on the EQUALIZER. What happen too innocent until proven guilty. Maybe I’ll accused someone of misconduct just because I’m a women. Doesn’t always make it the TRUTH.. MY OPINION….
I feel it was incredibly insensitive and unfair of CVS to to fire Mr North without these allegations being further investigated. Too many women come forward with false accusations. And I think it was very irresponsible of CBS to let him go before anything was proven!
I don’t know what he did or didn’t do. But what happened to innocent until proven guilty? I agree with Isabella. A person shouldn’t lose their livelihood or had their reputation ruined unless it is legally proven – one way or the other. There are people that cry wolf and there are sexual predators. So……
I have so much respect for Queen Latifah. Firing Noth had to happen , I know she and the writers will figure out how to deal with his absence. As a huge fan of the original Equalizer in the 80’s, I’m thrilled to say how FANTASTIC this new version is ! All hail the Queen !! and may she rule this series for a long time to come !!!
Why aren’t we hearing about Chris Noths claims when he says accusations are categorically false, he deserves his day in court. If he’s found innocent bring him back from the dead, he made it out of plane. He and Latifah were amazing together.
How about a little proof before you fire someone? Cancel culture is so unfair. People lose their jobs over accusations? If he actually did something to one or more women, you would think they would have reported it when it happened. One starts and more pile on.
I totally agree! And as a woman I’m tired of hearing about incidents that happened years ago. Step up immediately and make it known while evidence and proof can be easily ascertained. Chris Noth nor anyone else should be stripped of their job and livelihood over old unproven and substantiated accusations. He categorically denied it and I believe him until proven otherwise. Bring him back to the show now!!