In the Heat of the Night

In the Heat of the Night (1988-1995)

EndedScripted showDrama, Crime, Mystery

Based on the critically acclaimed novel of the same name, this series provided a hopeful, yet honest look at life in the new South. Set in the fictional Sparta, Mississippi, the show was a marvelous blend of heartfelt drama and folksy humor. It portrayed both the professional and personal pursuits of Sparta P.D's officers.

Streaming

Watch Now

Networks
Scheduleevery Friday (60 min)

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S08E04Grow Old Along with Memai 16, 1995
S08E03By Duty Boundfévr. 17, 1995
S08E02Who Was Geli Bendl ?déc. 9, 1994
S08E01A Matter of Justiceoct. 21, 1994
S07E24Give Me Your Life (2)mai 11, 1994
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did 'In the Heat of the Night' premiere?

'In the Heat of the Night' premiered on March 6, 1988.

Where is the show set?

The show is set in the fictional town of Sparta, Mississippi.

Who played the lead character, police chief Bill Gillespie?

Carroll O'Connor played police chief Bill Gillespie.

Who played the role of Detective Virgil Tibbs in the series?

Howard Rollins played the role of Detective Virgil Tibbs in the series.

Who played Althea Tibbs, Virgil's wife?

Anne-Marie Johnson played the role of Althea Tibbs, Virgil's wife.

What was the relationship between Gillespie and Tibbs like at the beginning of the series?

At the beginning of the series, Gillespie and Tibbs didn't get along, but they developed a friendship as the series progressed.

What was the premise of the series?

'In the Heat of the Night' focused on the investigations of the Sparta police department and the relationships between its officers.

Did the show feature any episodes based on real-life events?

Yes, some episodes were based on real-life events, such as the Ku Klux Klan trial of Vernon Dahmer in the episode "Bubba's Baby."

Who wrote the novel 'In the Heat of the Night' on which the series was based?

John Ball wrote the novel 'In the Heat of the Night' on which the series was based.

Was the series a ratings success?

Yes, 'In the Heat of the Night' was a ratings success and won several awards during its run.

Did the show tackle social issues?

Yes, 'In the Heat of the Night' tackled social issues such as racism, police brutality, and corruption.

How many episodes were there in total?

There were 146 episodes of 'In the Heat of the Night' in total.

Cast

View all cast

Characters

View all characters

Also known as

  • Az éjszaka árnyai (Hungary)
  • Полуночная жара (Russian Federation)

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
Reacher
Running

Reacher

Reacher follows Jack Reacher, a veteran military police investigator who has just recently entered civilian life. Reacher is a drifter, carrying no phone and the barest of essentials as he travels the country and explores the nation he once served. When Reacher arrives in the small town of Margrave, Georgia, he finds a community grappling with its first homicide in 20 years. The cops immediately arrest him and eyewitnesses claim to place Reacher at the scene of the crime. While he works to prove his innocence, a deep-seated conspiracy begins to emerge, one that will require Reacher's keen mind and hard-hitting fists to deal with. One thing above all is for sure: They picked the wrong guy to take the fall.

Chicago Med
Running

Chicago Med

An emotional thrill ride through the day-to-day chaos of the city's newest state-of-the-art trauma center and into the lives of the courageous doctors, nurses and staff who hold it all together. This is one of those days.

The Rookie
Running

The Rookie

The Rookie is inspired by a true story. John Nolan is the oldest rookie in the LAPD. At an age where most are at the peak of their career, Nolan cast aside his comfortable, small town life and moved to L.A. to pursue his dream of being a cop. Now, surrounded by rookies twenty years his junior, Nolan must navigate the dangerous, humorous and unpredictable world of a "young" cop, determined to make his second shot at life count.

Chicago P.D.
Running

Chicago P.D.

District 21 of the Chicago Police Department is made up of two distinctly different groups. There are the uniformed cops who patrol the beat and go head to head with the city's street crimes. And there's the Intelligence Unit, the team that combats the city's major offenses - organized crime, drug trafficking, high profile murders and beyond. These are their stories.

GenreDrama, Crime
Chicago Fire
Running

Chicago Fire

No job is more stressful, dangerous or exhilarating than those of the Firefighters, Rescue Squad and Paramedics of Chicago Firehouse 51. These are the courageous men and women who forge headfirst into danger when everyone else is running the other way and whose actions make the difference between life and death. These are their stories.