While the film version of In the Heat of the Night predominantly focused on the relationship between Bill Gillespie and Virgil Tibbs, the television adaptation allowed for a proper examination of various officers who worked within the Sparta police force. One of those officers was Bubba Skinner, played by Alan Autry.

Though he began as a slightly prickly, standoffish character, Bubba grew into a fan favorite. His determination to help others and loyalty to his fellow officers made it too easy for an audience to fall in love with him.

"The series tells good stories," Autry said during an interview with The Spokesman-Review. "It's well-written and well-acted. I can tell you that I'm sure proud to be part of a great cast of fine actors."

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Autry was proud that the characters on In the Heat of the Night weren't the sort of outlandish characters that viewers might idolize; they were everyday, run-of-the-mill people who viewers might consider their friends.

"We would like to think that the characters you've come to know so well after years of seeing most of them week after week, are the kind of people you'd like to have as your neighbors," said the actor.

Autry's character was so popular that there were talks of a potential spinoff. "I've been talking to people at the network about it," said Autry. "I've been getting a very good response...The way it would be is that Bubba would go out to Los Angeles on a case — which he already did the past season — and find himself being asked to stay on in law enforcement on the West Coast."

Still, Autry wasn't too eager to leave his costars on In the Heat of the Night, who he considered to be some of the best in the business.

"If you have to be a part of another show that's not yours, I can't think of a better one than the one I'm on now," said Autry. "But I also feel I've worked and prepared myself for the time when I could have my own series. So, if the opportunity works out, I feel I'm ready for it."