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
Big city crack dealers invade Sparta.Eugene witnesses the drive by shooting of a friend and his offer to help the police identify the shooters leaves Harriet frightened and angry at Bill.
Directed by Harry HarrisWritten by Joe Gannon
Episode 2
The police wage war against the big city drug dealers who have moved into Sparta.Eugene identifies the men who murdered his friend.And Bubba is teamed with and intrigued by a lady police lieutenant from Jackson.
Directed by Harry Harris
Episode 3
Louann's ne'er-do-well brother returns home after being paroled.
Directed by Winrich Kolbe
Episode 4
Althea places herself in harms way trying to help one of her students, a disturbed and violent young man; after he is implicated in a murder case.
Directed by Winrich Kolbe
Episode 5
Althea has trouble dealing with the violent death of a student.Young Megan Fowler quickly finds herself yet another dangerous boyfriend and they are soon wanted by the police.
Directed by Carroll O'Connor
Episode 6
Lana Gillespie comes to Sparta to claim her inheritance,but is stalked by a mobster who dated her mother.Meanwhile Harriet encourages Bill to talk to his daughter,but Lana doesn't seem to be interested.Officer Randy Goode helps keep the bad guys at bay by playing them a little tune on the guitar.
Directed by Leo Penn
Episode 7
A secretary takes drastic measures to protect herself from sexual harassment.
Where to watch In the Heat of the NightEpisode 8
Virgil fears for his Aunt Ruda's safety after several killings occur in the hospital where she is being treated.
Directed by Vincent McEveetyGuest stars Earl Holliman
Episode 9
Singer Eddie Larran returns to Sparta for a concert,but not everyone is a fan.An angry man insists that Eddie owes him money.And their dispute soon ends in violence.
Directed by Russ MayberryGuest stars Robert Goulet
Episode 10
A city councilwoman becomes dangerously obsessed with Bubba.
Directed by Russ Mayberry
Episode 11
One of Virgil's classmates from law school is arrested following the death of his former girlfriend, but the man insists that her death was the result of her relationship with her psychiatrist.
Directed by Russ Mayberry
Episode 12
A judge schemes to get rid of his wife after she tries to blackmail him into giving her a divorce and a generous settlement by revealing a secret from his past.
Directed by Larry HagmanGuest stars Sherilyn Wolter, Gail Everett-Smith
Episode 13
Sweet is the target of false accusations by two corrupt and racist car salesmen.
Directed by Reza BadiyiWritten by Joe Gannon
Episode 14
Parker's stepfather Roy threatens his former employer after an altercation.When the boss is murdered Roy is arrested.
Where to watch In the Heat of the NightEpisode 15
A woman asks Harriet to help her get an eviction order rescinded.The chief gives Parker a new radar gun - and soon comes to regret it.Sheriff McComb requests that Gillespie and Bubba help investigate a murder.Meanwhile Lonnie and Luann search for the boy who reported the murder.
Written by Joe Gannon
Episode 16
A white supremacist politician plans to have his wife's lover murdered and blame it on black radicals.
Directed by Larry HagmanGuest stars Afemo Omilami
Episode 17
A white supremacist politician plans to have his wife's lover murdered and blame it on black radicals.
Directed by Larry HagmanGuest stars Afemo Omilami
Episode 18
A swindlers homecoming upsets his wife and the families of his victims - especially Etta.
Directed by Reza Badiyi
Episode 19
A wealthy man plans to grant a promise made to a black sharecropper many years ago by giving land to the man's descendant.But his greedy son disapproves.
Guest stars Edward Albert, Katherine Moffat, Mark Lenard
Episode 20
Corrupt developers set their sights on Lana's farm. When she refuses to sell they enlist the services of an arsonist to force her out.
Directed by Carroll O'ConnorGuest stars Burgess Meredith
Episode 21
Bill discovers the motivation behind a crime syndicates attempt to muscle in on Sparta and the reason they are determined to get Lana's land.
Directed by Harry HarrisGuest stars Michael Edwards, Burgess Meredith
Episode 22
Eugene hopes a well known minister can save his father from Death Row.But someone runs the Reverend off the road on his way into town and the Sparta police try to protect him and track down his assailent.Meanwhile Harriet struggles with what her part in her ex-husbands appeal should be and is even more unsettled when Eugene demands that she break up with Bill.
Directed by Harry Harris
Episode information updated Jul 22, 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.
