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.
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Episode 1
Gillespie's old flame returns to Sparta to settle some business matters and see Bill. When she is murdered he travels to Gulfport and meets his daughter Lana for the first time.
Directed by Harry Harris
Episode 2
After Bubba's cousin adopts a baby her husband is blackmailed by the child's real parents - they want him to help them steal the payroll where he works.
Directed by Harry Harris
Episode 3
A flirtatious schoolteacher is stalked by a madman.
Directed by Russ Mayberry
Episode 4
A game of high stakes poker ends in murder.
Directed by Harry HarrisGuest stars Tippi Hedren, Robert Colbert
Episode 5
Virgil's Aunt Ruda is the only witness to a struggle between Bubba and a young robbery suspect that ends in the young mans death.But her prejudice against the police -- and Virgil clouds her memory of the incident.
Directed by Russ Mayberry
Episode 6
Bubba returns to Los Angeles to testify at a murder trial and is reunited with Pat Day as they try to protect Mike from killers sent to prevent him from testifying.
Directed by Leo PennWritten by Joe GannonGuest stars Franklin Cover
Episode 7
A man murders his business partner and frames the man's illegitimate daughter for the crime in an attempt to gain the man's business and his wife.
Directed by Russ Mayberry
Episode 8
The lyrics to a blues song recall a murder that happened 50 years earlier.The victim - Sweet's grandfather.And the only people left with the answers are the bluesman who wrote the song and a retired sheriff.
Directed by Vincent McEveetyGuest stars James Best
Episode 9
A deputy provides protection for a cotton grower who is running a pot growing operation.But the deputy makes a big mistake when he wounds Bubba's girlfriend.
Directed by Winrich KolbeGuest stars Afemo Omilami
Episode 10
The father of a man Gerard prosecuted kidnaps the DA's daughter.
Directed by Leo PennGuest stars Katherine Cannon
Episode 11
Lonnie makes a heartbreaking discovery about a woman he dated in high school.
Where to watch In the Heat of the NightEpisode 12
A drug dealing slumlord is murdered by his accomplices.
Directed by Larry HagmanGuest stars Hunter von Leer, Afemo Omilami
Episode 13
A doctor plots to eliminate his wife -- and his mistress.
Directed by Vincent McEveety
Episode 14
Parkers investigation into a purse snatching reveals an abused woman.
Directed by Reza Badiyi
Episode 15
Racists target a ceremony honoring a civil rights pioneer.
Directed by Vincent McEveety
Episode 16
Althea fears for one of her students after her mother's boyfriend is linked to a criminal operation that has resulted in the deaths of several truckers.
Directed by Winrich KolbeWritten by Patt Shea
Episode 17
A restaurateur and her mechanic boyfriend plot to eliminate her husband, but their scheme backfires.Gillespie takes heat over a string of mailbox bashings.And Virgil soon regrets ignoring Parker's theory regarding where the vandals would strike next.
Directed by Russ MayberryWritten by Joe Gannon
Episode 18
V.J. Trundel's widow takes Harriet to court to gain custody of Eric.But Harriet is determined that her nephew will not be raised in the home of the man who ordered the murder of her sister.
Directed by Harry Harris
Episode 19
Gillespie learns that the son of an old friend is a compulsive gambler.The young man wants his father to pay off his losses.But when two gangsters show up from New Orleans to collect, his jealous sibling sees the perfect opportunity to get rid of his troubled brother.
Directed by Winrich KolbeWritten by Joe Gannon
Episode 20
An ex-convict attempts to retrieve his loot from his wife and her new husband in this tongue-in-cheek episode.
Directed by Harry HarrisGuest stars Robert Donner, Terry Hobbs
Episode 21
A political prisoner who entered the country illegally,seeks sanctuary in a monastary.Gillespie and Tibbs find themselves at odds with Sheriff McComb when they try to help the man.
Directed by Mario Azzopardi
Episode 22
Gillespie,Tibbs and Father DiMarco must stand trial for harbouring a fugitive and obstructing justice.
Directed by Russ Mayberry
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.
