Pilot: Part 1's primary photo

In the Heat of the Night

Pilot: Part 1 (Season 1, Episode 1)
TV-PG
TV Episode | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Chief Gillespie reluctantly accepts visiting Sparta native Virgil Tibbs as his new Chief of Detectives in the midst of a high-profile murder investigation.
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Writer
James Lee Barrett (written by)
Cinematographer
Editor
Casting Director
Production Designer
William Hiney (as Bill Hiney)
Status
Edit Released
Updated Mar 6, 1988

Release date
Mar 6, 1988 (United States)

Contacts

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Cast

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29 cast members
Name Known for
Carroll O'Connor
Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie   See fewer
Howard E. Rollins Jr.
Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs (as Howard Rollins) Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs (as Howard Rollins)   See fewer
Alan Autry
Officer V.L. 'Bubba' Skinner Officer V.L. 'Bubba' Skinner   See fewer
Anne-Marie Johnson
Althea Tibbs Althea Tibbs   See fewer
David Hart
Officer Parker Williams Officer Parker Williams   See fewer
Christian Jules Le Blanc
Officer Junior Abernathy (as Christian Le Blanc) Officer Junior Abernathy (as Christian Le Blanc)   See fewer
Dennis Lipscomb
Mayor Jim Findlay Mayor Jim Findlay   See fewer
Doug Savant
Scott LaPierre Scott LaPierre   See fewer
Mills Watson
Dr. Bridgers Dr. Bridgers   See fewer
David Harris
Willie Jones Willie Jones   See fewer
Jill Carroll
Barbara Giles Barbara Giles   See fewer
Margaret Blye
Gillespie's Girlfriend (as Maggie Blye) Gillespie's Girlfriend (as Maggie Blye)   See fewer
Kevin McCarthy
Harold LaPierre Harold LaPierre   See fewer
Helene Udy
Anne Strictland Anne Strictland   See fewer
Peter Gabb
Horace Goode Horace Goode   See fewer
Hugh O'Connor
Officer Lonnie Jamison Officer Lonnie Jamison   See fewer
Mary Elizabeth Blackmon
Nan Woodall Nan Woodall   See fewer
Stocker Fontelieu
Tolliver Tolliver   See fewer
Rod Masterson
Morris Morris   See fewer
Chuck Hicks
Red Jack Red Jack   See fewer
Dave Petitjean
Smiley Hewitt Smiley Hewitt   See fewer
J. Kevin Brune
Ben Gilroy Ben Gilroy   See fewer
John Wilmot
Mr. Vince Gilroy Mr. Vince Gilroy   See fewer
Jerry Leggio
Harry Giles Harry Giles   See fewer
Carol Sutton
Macie Jones Macie Jones   See fewer
Hank Gautreaux
Winthrop Mason Winthrop Mason   See fewer
Jerry Campbell
Magnolia Cafe Patron (uncredited) Magnolia Cafe Patron (uncredited)   See fewer
Aaron B. Genre
Boy on Bike (uncredited) Boy on Bike (uncredited)   See fewer
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