Home EntertainmentHollywood Veteran Liza Lapira Hits The Mark on "The Equalizer"
November 18, 2021• byGiannina Ong
Who does former CIA spy Robyn McCall call when she's in trouble? That'd be Mel Bayani, her right-hand woman and professional sniper, portrayed by Hollywood veteran and Filipino American Liza Lapira.
CBS's "The Equalizer," now in its second season, follows retired operative Robyn McCall (Queen Latifah) as she takes justice into her own hands for those who can't get help through the systems in place. In this season alone, McCall assists an online group of true crime enthusiasts to find an anonymous stalker, prevents the murder of the city's district attorney, and rescues a teenager from joining a dangerous gang.
So how does a girl like Mel get mixed up with vigilante justice? Lapira shares, "Her sense of justice is aligned with Robyn's. They trained together, but Mel left the military years before Robyn did. I imagine she missed helping others in that specific, tangible way, and that's why she doesn't hesitate for a moment to join in when Robyn initiates 'equalizing.'"
Credit: Sophy Holland/CBS
With over 20 years in the business, Lapira is a versatile film, television, and theater actor who has held recurring roles on television shows such as "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Dexter," "NCIS," and "Nancy Drew." Her film appearances range from "Crazy, Stupid, Love" to "Fast & Furious" and "Cloverfield." And that's just the tip of the iceberg of Lapira's career.
Despite her extensive resume, Lapira told me that "The Equalizer" is already one of the most memorable projects she has worked on. "Between working with Queen Latifah, shooting at iconic New York locations, being on a show with great writers, it's a career highlight," she revealed. "What makes it even more special is that Melody Bayani is one of the first, if not the first, unmistakably Filipino American characters on network television."
This Sunday's upcoming episode is the first time we get to know Mel on a deeper level. While hunting a sniper threatening the city, the show touches on Mel's background and what it's like for her as a woman sniper. Born and raised in New York, like Lapira herself, Mel is the child of Filipino immigrants. In many ways, Mel is the hero of her own story. As a survivor, partner, and friend, she's a well-rounded character with her own past, her own purpose, and her own strong points of view.
"I don't know that I saw that, growing up," Lapira says. "The fact that this character is being debuted on such an iconic franchise with such an iconic lead actor is icing on the cake."
A post shared by Castleberry/Murphy/Casting CSA (@castleberrymurphycasting)
That's not the only way that "The Equalizer" is leading in representation. Tackling issues like everyday racism and how systems made to protect can discriminate against those who are most vulnerable, the show is not just action-packed but also insightful. And Lapira is not alone in being Pinoy — she's joined by Black Filipina Laya DeLeon Hayes, who plays McCall's daughter.
"I hope the industry, and world, keep going in the direction they're heading: the realization that diversity isn't a choice — it's the actual world we live in. It's the reality, and the more we embrace that, the more we welcome others to the table, the better, funnier, and more entertaining our stories and lives will be," says Lapira.
"The Equalizer" is a reimagining of the classic series starring Academy Award nominee and multi-hyphenate Queen Latifah ("Chicago," "Bessie") as Robyn McCall, an enigmatic woman with a mysterious background who uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn. "The Equalizer" airs Sundays (8 p.m. EST) after 60 Minutes. You can stream for free on CBS.com or subscribe on Paramount+.
Cover photo credit: Screen Grab/CBS
Giannina Ong
Giannina Ong is the Editor in Chief and Activism Editor of Mochi magazine. During the day, she's a researcher, activist, and content creator. She holds a master's from University of Toronto's Women and Gender Studies Institute, and completed her bachelor's triple-majoring/triple-minoring at Santa Clara University. A spot-on Taurus (sun and rising), she is also a retired athlete, pasta-loving writer, and overeager editor.
Follow Giannina Ong
Equalizer interview Liza Lapira
Mochi interviews Julie Oh, the producer responsible for Netflix's adaptation of Jonathan Larson's...
Pursuing Possibilities With Calista Wu
When I first met the multitalented multihyphenate Calista Wu on the social audio app Clubhouse back in...
Arts & Culture • Career • Food • Summer 2021
Cooking and Community with Quincy Surasmith
Multidisciplinary artist Quincy Surasmith is bringing people together digitally through his podcast and in...