Episode 1
Rape
48m8.0 / 10
After being released by his captors, the chief discovers that his abduction is part of a plot to assassinate a visiting civil rights leader.
Episode credits
Directed by Paul Lynch, Harry HarrisGuest stars Heather Binion
TV series
In the Heat of the Night
19888 seasons7.6 / 10
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
Where to watch in United States
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.
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Synopsis
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.
Season 3 episodes
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Where to watch In the Heat of the Night
Episode 2
Fairest of Them All
48m7.0 / 10
Virgil struggles to help Althea after she is raped by a fellow teacher.Darnell does not think they can get a conviction because the man's wife has given him an alibi.Virgil tries to control his anger - until the man returns to intimidate Althea.And Gillespie tries to convince the wife to tell the truth.
Episode credits
Directed by Mario Azzopardi, Paul LynchWritten by Nancy Bond
Episode 3
Murder Most Ancient
47m8.0 / 10
A beauty contest is marred by blackmail and the ambitious mother of a contestant.
Episode credits
Directed by Mario Azzopardi, Winrich Kolbe
Episode 4
First Girl
47m7.0 / 10
An unhappy wife asks her lover to place a bomb in her abusive husband's truck.
Episode credits
Directed by Gene Reynolds, Winrich Kolbe
Episode 5
Crackdown
48m8.0 / 10
Sparta P.D. gets it's first black policewoman.
Episode credits
Directed by Gene Reynolds
Episode 6
Anniversary
48m8.0 / 10
Someone is selling crack to teenagers and Sweet tries desperately to save a young addict.
Episode credits
Directed by Harry HarrisWritten by Nancy Bond
Episode 7
Time of the Stranger
47m7.0 / 10
After a private investigator searching for a missing child is found dead, the evidence points to a local dance teacher - a neighbor that Parker has become very fond of.
Episode credits
Directed by Ivan Dixon
Episode 8
Vengeance
47m7.0 / 10
An outlaw family seeks revenge against Bubba after he is forced to shoot one of them during a holdup.The chief wants him to stay out of sight until they are arrested - a suggestion that does not set well with Bubba.
Where to watch In the Heat of the NightEpisode 9
My Name is Hank
48m8.0 / 10
A young refugee claims to be the son of a Sparta cop who died in the war.But quickly becomes a suspect in a murder/robbery after he accepts a ride with the criminals who actually committed the crime.Gillespie looks into his story, while Virgil and the boys track down the shooter.Meanwhile, the young mans presence triggers a surprisingly bitter reaction from Parker, who views him as a painful reminder of the war.
Episode credits
Directed by Harry Harris
Episode 10
King's Ransom
48m6.0 / 10
The F.B.I. tries to talk an ex-boxer into testifying against a mobster he once worked for, but the fighter sees the situation as an opportunity for blackmail.
Episode credits
Directed by Jeffrey Hayden
Episode 11
Epitaph for a Lady
48m7.0 / 10
A long time friend of the Chief makes threats against a doctor he believes is responsible for his wife's death .When the doctor is killed he becomes the prime suspect.But Gillespie doubts his guilt - even after he confesses.
Episode credits
Directed by Vincent McEveety
Episode 12
Triangle
48m8.0 / 10
A man murders his wife and her lover after he catches them together,then flees to a remote cabin with his daughter who does not know what he has done.The chief and the boys hope to talk him into surrendering without resorting to violence.
Episode credits
Guest stars John Diehl
Episode 13
Hello in There
48m8.0 / 10
Bubba refuses to believe that a former teamate embezzled funds from the bank where he worked.And sets out to prove that his friend was framed and murdered.Harriet hopes that art therapy can help the man's traumatized son,who becomes a target himself when the killer realizes he witnessed the crime.
Episode credits
Directed by Vincent McEveety
Episode 14
December Days
47m8.0 / 10
The Sparta police investigate a suspicious death in a nursing home.
Episode credits
Directed by Vincent McEveetyWritten by Kim FrieseGuest stars Logan Ramsey
Episode 15
A Loss of Innocence
48m
Darnell plans on indicting a teenager for murder after her father is found in the basement and her mother turns up missing.But Gillespie and his men don't believe she is guilty.
Episode credits
Directed by Paul Lynch
Episode 16
Bubba's Baby
47m
Someone abandons a baby at Bubba's door.
Episode credits
Directed by Jeffrey Hayden
Episode 17
Home is Where The Heart Is
48m
Maybelle the madam returns to Sparta with her "" nieces "".And sets up shop just out of Gillespie's jurisdiction.Her return is not without controversy and soon one of her most vocal critics is found murdered.
Episode credits
Directed by Leo Penn
Episode 18
An Angry Woman
48m
First the mother,then the father of two young children are murdered.Althea takes responsibility for the children. The killings appear to be related to a shady trucking firm.
Episode credits
Directed by Winrich Kolbe
Episode 19
Indiscretions
48m
Althea does not realize that an old friend from Philly is hiding a dark secret, nor does Sweet who has fallen in love with the woman.
Episode credits
Directed by Vince Edwards
Episode 20
Night of the Killing
48m
Racial tensions run high when a white cabbie is murdered in the bottoms.
Episode credits
Directed by Chuck BowmanGuest stars Lisa Guerrero, Afemo Omilami
Episode 21
Citizen Trundel (1)
47m
Harriet's sister is murdered on the orders of the wealthy white man who fathered her child.
Episode credits
Directed by Leo Penn
Episode 22
Citizen Trundel (2)
47mfinale
Harriet's efforts to bring V.J. Trundel to trial are fruitless.The Chief does not believe they will ever get enough evidence to get an indictment,so he tries another method to bring Trundel to justice.
Episode credits
Directed by Harry Harris
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
More about In the Heat of the Night
Cast
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 JamisonCredits
- Created by
- James Lee Barrett
- Written by
- Joe Gannon, Nancy Bond, Mark Edward Edens, Robert Bielak, Kathy McCormick, Lee Maddux, Richard Fielder, David O'Connor
Production details
- Status
- Ended
- Series type
- Scripted
- Episodes
- 146
- Original language
- English
Networks & production
NBCUnited States
CBSUnited States
MGM TelevisionUnited States- Fred Silverman Productions
- JADDA Productions
- Juanita Bartlett Production
Themes
policepolice chiefpolice detectiveracism
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