Episode 1
Brotherly Love (1)
1h
Virgil goes to Philadelphia to investigate a friends death.And Bubba (reluctantly) fills in as Althea's Lamaze coach.
Episode credits
Directed by Harry HarrisGuest stars Larry Gelman, Bruce Kirby
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 4 episodes
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Where to watch In the Heat of the Night
Episode 2
Brotherly Love (2)
1h
Virgil is framed for murder and Gillespie travels to Philly to help him clear his name.
Episode credits
Directed by Harry HarrisGuest stars Bruce Kirby
Episode 3
Lessons Learned
1h
Gillespie sends Parker to confirm suspicions that a local truck stop is really a front for a prostitution business.When a young prostitute is found dead Gillespie is shocked at her fathers reaction.Parker is dismayed when he recognizes one of the ladies.
Episode credits
Directed by Mario Azzopardi
Episode 4
Perversions of Justice
1h
A mild mannered school teacher is accused of child molestation.
Episode credits
Directed by Harry HarrisWritten by Robert BielakGuest stars Ronnie Claire Edwards
Episode 5
And Justice For Some
1h
Gillespie and his officers are outraged when a drug courier who ran down the son of Virgil's next door neighbor makes a deal with the F.B.I. to avoid prosecution.
Episode credits
Directed by Harry Harris
Episode 6
Hearts of Gold
1h
Bubba is reunited with his high school sweetheart, but his happiness is short lived after she resorts to murder to silence an attorney who was threatening to stop her from inheriting her late husband's estate.
Episode credits
Directed by Russ Mayberry
Episode 7
Quick Fix
1h
The investigation into the death of an abandoned infant leads to a mentally handicapped teenager.
Episode credits
Directed by Winrich Kolbe
Episode 8
Homecoming
1h
A lawyer has personal reasons for trying to gain early release for a man who was sent to prison after an accident he caused while drinking and driving.
Where to watch In the Heat of the NightEpisode 9
A Problem Too Personal
1h
Harriet and Eugene are devastated after Gene's father is arrested for murder.
Episode credits
Directed by Winrich Kolbe
Episode 10
A Final Arrangement
1h
Sweet is heartbroken when an elderly woman who befriended him is murdered in her bookstore.
Episode credits
Directed by Leo Penn
Episode 11
Family Matters
1h
Virgil's dream of a better relationship with his Aunt Ruda and her son is shattered when his cousin takes part in a string of burglaries that result in murder.
Episode credits
Directed by Vincent McEveety
Episode 12
Bounty Hunter
1h
Gillespie receives word that a former Spartan is wanted for the murder of a socialite in Houston.But a ruthless bounty hunter, sent by the victim's jealous husband is already in Sparta and sees the man's sister as a means to locate his quarry.
Episode credits
Directed by Russ Mayberry
Episode 13
Blessings
1h
In this Christmas episode the officers share memories with a reporter from the Sparta Herald.
Episode credits
Directed by David Soul
Episode 14
Shine on Sparta Moon
1h
A bottle of spiked moonshine leads to an accident that claims the life of one teen and blinds another.
Episode credits
Directed by Leo PennWritten by Robert BielakGuest stars Terry Hobbs
Episode 15
Execution of Trust
1h
A psychiatrist tells Gillespie that one of her patients has confessed to a crime that another man is about to be executed for, but she refuses to divulge his identity.
Episode credits
Directed by Leo PennGuest stars Christina Pickles
Episode 16
Child of Promise
1h
A story of two brothers one an honor student that Althea has great plans for, the other a dangerous drug dealer as they struggle to influence a younger sibling.
Episode credits
Directed by Vincent McEveetyGuest stars Temi Epstein
Episode 17
Paper Castles
1h
Virgil soon regrets telling an old friend that his new business partners are being investigated by the police.
Episode credits
Directed by Vincent McEveetyWritten by Arthur Bernard Lewis
Episode 18
Laid to Waste
1h
Parker protects a blind woman who heard her neighbors murder.
Episode credits
Directed by Vincent McEveety
Episode 20
Just A Country Boy
1h
Bubba travels to Los Angeles to arrest an arsonist.When the man is murdered to keep him from talking Bubba teams up with a pretty insurance investigator to solve the crime.
Episode credits
Directed by Carroll O'ConnorGuest stars Franklin Cover, Raymond Forchion
Episode 21
No Other Road
1h
Harriet tries to keep Eugene from giving up when his father faces the death penalty.And the police search for three suspects in connection to a robbery/murder.
Where to watch In the Heat of the NightEpisode 22
A Turning
1hfinale
Althea thinks Virgil needs a new line of work after seeing the aftermath of a deadly shooting at a roadhouse.Virgil finds himself in danger when they arrest the man who committed the crime.
Episode credits
Written by Joe GannonGuest stars Afemo Omilami
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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