In the Heat of the Night (1988)
A landmark American crime drama series that brought racial tension, justice, and the Deep South to primetime television for eight compelling seasons.
In the Heat of the Night - Series Information
- Original Title: In the Heat of the Night
- First Air Year: 1988
- Last Air Year: 1995
- Created by: James Lee Barrett
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 8
- Number of Episodes: 146
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: March 6, 1988 (Canada - PG)
- Networks: NBC, CBS
- Production Companies: MGM Television, Fred Silverman Productions, JADDA Productions, Juanita Bartlett Production, Fred Silverman Company, MGM/UA Television
- Production Countries: United States of America
In the Heat of the Night - Plot
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.
In the Heat of the Night - Trailer
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In the Heat of the Night - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- James Lee Barrett
Main Cast
- Carroll O'Connor
- Alan Autry
- David Hart
- Hugh O'Connor
- Howard Rollins
- Anne-Marie Johnson
- Geoffrey Thorne
- Crystal R. Fox
- Denise Nicholas
- Carl Weathers
Writers
- Joe Gannon
- Nancy Bond
- Robert Bielak
- Kathy McCormick
- Elsye O'Connor
In the Heat of the Night - FAQs
What is In the Heat of the Night about?
In the Heat of the Night follows white police chief Bill Gillespie and African-American detective Virgil Tibbs as they solve crimes together in a small Mississippi town. The series explores racial tensions, justice, and community in the American South, blending procedural storytelling with social commentary across eight seasons.
Is In the Heat of the Night based on a true story?
No, In the Heat of the Night is not based on a true story. The TV series is adapted from John Ball's 1965 novel and the acclaimed 1967 film of the same name. The characters of Chief Gillespie and Detective Tibbs are fictional, though the racial tensions depicted reflect real historical realities of the American South.
Who are the main actors in In the Heat of the Night?
The series stars Carroll O'Connor as Chief Bill Gillespie and Howard Rollins as Detective Virgil Tibbs. The supporting cast includes Alan Autry, David Hart, Hugh O'Connor, Anne-Marie Johnson, Geoffrey Thorne, Crystal R. Fox, Denise Nicholas, and Carl Weathers.
Where can I stream In the Heat of the Night?
In the Heat of the Night is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and The Roku Channel, with free ad-supported viewing on Tubi TV. Episodes can also be purchased or rented through Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. Availability may vary by region.
How many seasons does In the Heat of the Night have?
In the Heat of the Night ran for 8 seasons and 146 total episodes. Season 1 had 8 episodes, Seasons 2 through 6 each had 22 episodes, Season 7 had 24 episodes, and Season 8 concluded the series with 4 episodes. It aired from 1988 to 1995.
When did In the Heat of the Night first air?
In the Heat of the Night first aired on March 6, 1988. The series debuted on NBC, where it ran until 1992, before moving to CBS for its final seasons, concluding in 1995 after eight seasons and 146 episodes.
Why did In the Heat of the Night move from NBC to CBS?
In the Heat of the Night moved from NBC to CBS in 1992 after NBC cancelled the show despite its loyal audience. CBS picked it up and aired the series for three additional seasons through 1995. The move was largely driven by the show's continued popularity in syndication and strong viewer demand.
What are similar shows to In the Heat of the Night?
Fans of In the Heat of the Night may enjoy Kojak, a classic detective drama with strong character-driven storytelling, as well as Jake and the Fatman and Father Dowling Mysteries, both procedural crime series from the same era. Lethal Weapon and The Long Call offer more contemporary takes on crime-solving partnerships.
More About In the Heat of the Night
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