TV series
In the Heat of the Night is an American television series based on the motion picture and novel of the same name starring Carroll O'Connor as the white police chief William Gillespie, and Howard Rollins as the African-American police detective Virgil Tibbs. It was broadcast on NBC from 1988 until 1992, and then on CBS until 1995. Its executive producers were Fred Silverman, Juanita Bartlett and Carroll O'Connor. TGG Direct released the first season of the series to DVD on August 28, 2012.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Jul 22, 2026
In the Heat of the Night is available to stream on Prime Video, Philo, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Tubi in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon and Apple TV. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
In the Heat of the Night is an American television series based on the motion picture and novel of the same name starring Carroll O'Connor as the white police chief William Gillespie, and Howard Rollins as the African-American police detective Virgil Tibbs. It was broadcast on NBC from 1988 until 1992, and then on CBS until 1995. Its executive producers were Fred Silverman, Juanita Bartlett and Carroll O'Connor. TGG Direct released the first season of the series to DVD on August 28, 2012.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
A copycat recreates a shocking unsolved murder from the past.Gillespie feels threatened after Ted Marcus suggests that Virgil should become the Chief.The situation becomes more tense after Virgil criticizes Parker and Bubba's actions.
Where to watch In the Heat of the NightEpisode 2
Tibbs,Gillespie and Bubba pursue different leads in a bizarre murder case and the Chief realizes that the killer has plans for him.
Where to watch In the Heat of the NightEpisode 3
The murder of well respected man turns up a shocking secret about his family.
Directed by Lee H. KatzinWritten by Nancy Bond
Episode 4
Virgil is delighted when Matthew his former partner from Philidelphia comes to visit.But he soon learns his friend has another purpose for coming to Sparta.Althea is uncomfortable because she and Matthew were romantically involved before she met Virgil and she realizes that he is unwilling to accept the fact that she chose Virgil over him.Meanwhile the F.B.I. enlist Sparta P.D.'s aid in hiding a witness.
Guest stars Michael McClendon
Episode 5
Sweet risks his life to prove that the Sheriff of a neighboring county is guilty of the racially motivated murder of a young man that Sweet was friends with in high school.
Directed by Russ MayberryWritten by Lee Maddux
Episode 6
Bubba is seduced by an alluring writer who has more on her mind than romance.Bill and Virgil worry that he is in over his head.Bubba tries to protect her from her estranged husband, but things get complicated after she shoots someone.
Directed by Harry HarrisWritten by Mark Edward Edens
Episode 7
Virgil is forced to shoot a suspect in an armed robbery.He has trouble dealing with the consequences of his actions, after he realizes the person he shot was a teenaged girl - and no one can locate the gun he believed she was pointing at him.
Guest stars Afemo Omilami
Episode 8
Virgil's visiting niece and Bubba's nephew team up in an effort to escape the boredom of small town life.But they get more excitement than they bargained for when they cross paths with a dangerous parolee.
Guest stars Mitchell Anderson
Episode 9
Gillespie suspects that JoAnn's new cook is connected to the murder of a young prostitute.But Virgil suspects the culprit maybe a local pimp who has been intimidating the women.
Where to watch In the Heat of the NightEpisode 10
A minister who was integrating his church(by inviting Virgil and Althea to attend services)is poisoned.
Guest stars Roberts Blossom
Episode 11
In this thought provoking episode.Gillespie is surprised when a man he arrested asks to see him on the eve of his execution.He must confront his feelings about the death penalty when the prisoner asks him to witness his death.
Where to watch In the Heat of the NightEpisode 12
The past comes back to haunt JoAnn in the form of an escaped convict.
Where to watch In the Heat of the NightEpisode 13
Directed by Harry HarrisWritten by Lee Maddux, Mark Edward Edens
Episode 14
The police search for a burglar who preys on elderly women.And the prime suspect is the son of a city councilwoman.
Guest stars Cynthia Windham
Episode 15
The investigation of a possible assault brings back nightmarish and confusing childhood memories for Virgil.
Directed by Alexander SingerWritten by Jo William PhillipGuest stars Afemo Omilami
Episode 16
A vivacious socialites return to Sparta delights her ailing father and childhood friend Virgil, but her sister is less than thrilled at her homecoming.After their father is poisoned the jealous siblings become suspects in his murder.
Where to watch In the Heat of the NightEpisode 17
A bitter strike leads to a murder investigation on a snowy day in Sparta.
Where to watch In the Heat of the NightEpisode 18
Bubba tries to rescue a woman from a rapist, but she mistakes him for her attacker.Gillespie tangles with an ambitious district attorney who plans to use the case to further his career.
Directed by Chuck BowmanWritten by James Novack
Episode 19
Sparta grieves after a drunk driver causes a fatal crash with high school cheerleaders on their way home from a game.While the officers try to find other driver, Althea tries to help the victim's families deal with their loss. The accident brings back painful memories for retired officer Tom Dugan.Meanwhile, district attorney Dutton accuses the department of being inadequate.
Where to watch In the Heat of the NightEpisode 20
With the Chief in Quantico Bubba and Virgil try to catch a serial arsonist.Things get complicated after a man dies in one of the fires.And Councilwoman White stirs things up by appointing Tom Dugan acting chief of police in Gillespie's absence.
Directed by Alexander Singer
Episode 21
It seems that a serial killer has been burying his victims in a wooded area owned by a wealthy hermit that Virgil refers to as ""Sparta's Howard Hughes"". Suspicion immediately falls on an eccentric woman who lives in the woods with her pigs and chases away trespassers with a shotgun.The officers ask the landowner's disturbed son for help and Bubba is surprised to find that a woman he attended high school with is working as the man's ""nurse"".Also Parker and Sweet compete with one another to solve the case.
Written by Frank Dandridge
Episode 22
Guest stars Derek Smith
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
Carroll O'ConnorBill Gillespie
Howard RollinsVirgil Tibbs
Alan AutryBubba Skinner
Anne-Marie JohnsonAlthea Tibbs
Lois NettletonJoanne St. John
David HartParker Williams
Geoffrey ThorneWilson Sweet
Hugh O'ConnorLonnie Jamison
NBCUnited States
CBSUnited States
MGM TelevisionUnited StatesMore shows like In the Heat of the Night.
