Liza Lapira is back in action on “The Equalizer,” bringing heart, strength, and a whole new side to her character, Mel Bayani, on the hit show’s fifth season.

As Mel faces her toughest challenges yet dealing with the aftermath of her abduction last season, the Filipino-American actress reflected on what it’s been like to play a strong, action-driven character.

"The most rewarding part this season is showing how someone that strong can be vulnerable and how there’s strength in vulnerability," Lapira said, "and how there’s strength in asking to get help. It’s been great to explore another side of the character because I’ve been so action-driven for four years."

Drawing from real-life experiences, the actress brings authenticity to her role. Lapira shared that her mother used to run a bereavement group.

"Her way of dealing with grief is helping others," the actress said, "taking that pain and using it to help others. That's a real-world example."

"It just so happens that’s what Mel does in this show. She's a veteran," Lapira added of her character. "She has post-traumatic stress from it. And so she starts a support group to help others with that. So I witnessed it in real life, and then I get to play it on TV, and it's an honor to kind of show that, because I think there's value in community."

Lapira has been part of the Queen Latifah-led hit show since it premiered in 2021. (Courtesy: CBS "The Equalizer")

Lapira is very proud of her mother Lourdes who was also her date at the star’s first big Hollywood premiere as one of the lead stars of “Inside Out 2.”

This season, the show is giving viewers even more insight into her character and a chance for more Filipino representation on screen.

Lapira has been part of the Queen Latifah-led hit show since it premiered in 2021. She also showcases another talent as part of her character's healing journey.

"Her (Bayani) therapist tells her to be more artistic to deal with her trauma," Lapira said. "She writes a song and she sings it on the show."

"I wrote it and I get to sing it on the show. So that's something to look forward to this season," she added. "I loved it. I'd written before just for my own personal pleasure, or like little jingles, commercial jingles in there. It was great, cathartic."

“The Equalizer” also stars young Fil-Am actress Laya De Leon Hayes.