‘S.W.A.T. Exiles’ Episode 3 Release Date, Time, Where to Watch and Preview

The third episode of ‘S.W.A.T. Exiles’ arrives on Friday, October 9, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Starz under the title “The Project.” It continues the weekly rollout of a first season that was built around Shemar Moore’s return to the franchise.

The spinoff follows Hondo Harrelson after he is pulled out of forced retirement and asked to build an experimental unit from young, unpredictable recruits. With the schedule now set, here is what is known about the third episode of ‘S.W.A.T. Exiles’ so far, including timing, streaming options and the story threads that may come into play.

Third Episode Release Date and Time

“The Project” is scheduled for October 9 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, one week after the second episode, “Not One But Two,” on October 2. TheTVDB lists the same air date and puts the runtime at 44 minutes.

New episodes arrive every Friday, and the season continues through November 27. Game Rant lists the Friday slot as 10 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. CT. That gives viewers in other time zones a simple reference point for planning their evening.

International audiences are working from a different calendar. In Germany and Austria, the series does not begin until October 9 on Sky, with episodes released weekly from that point.

Where to Watch the Third Episode of ‘S.W.A.T. Exiles’

In the United States, the series airs exclusively on Starz, and it is available through both the Starz streaming service and the Starz channel for subscribers. There is no broadcast network option this time, which marks a clear change from the original series.

Episodes land on the Starz app at midnight ET on release day, and the show is also listed on Prime Video as a Starz title for those who subscribe to the channel there. That means some viewers can start streaming before the on air slot reaches their own time zone.

The premiere is already available to stream for anyone with Starz access, which makes a catch up session possible before the next installment. The season opener was titled “Clean Entry,” and it sets up the dynamics that the later episodes are expected to build on.

Deadline reported in an exclusive that production was wrapping with no US home, and that the spinoff moved from pitch to a ten episode greenlight in about two weeks. Variety later reported that Starz picked up the series, with filming having wrapped in February.

Third Episode Preview and What to Expect

Starz has not released a full synopsis for the second episode. That leaves the title and air date as the main confirmed details for “The Project.” The episodes that follow are titled “Hate Crime” on October 16 and “Edgemount” on October 23.

The broader premise offers some guidance. The early episodes are largely about Hondo bridging a generational gap and managing personalities that do not naturally mesh. Sony describes the central conflict as turning a group of outsiders into a team capable of protecting Los Angeles and saving the S.W.A.T. program.

The tone appears to be a deliberate shift. Moore told People the show looks and feels darker, and the story introduces a possible mole within the squad and a conspiracy reaching the upper levels of the LAPD and the mayor’s office.

TV Insider reported in an exclusive interview that Moore describes the show as serialized, with an underlying story that carries from episode to episode alongside action such as helicopters, motorcycle chases and hand to hand combat. That structure suggests each new chapter will matter to the larger arc.

‘S.W.A.T. Exiles’ Cast and Crew Behind the New Unit

Moore is joined by a new ensemble that includes Lucy Barrett, Adain Bradley, Zyra Gorecki, Freddy Miyares, Ronen Rubinstein and Lenora Crichlow. Together they form the group of recruits that Hondo has to shape into a working team.

Jason Ning serves as showrunner and executive producer alongside Moore, Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, James Scura and Jon Cowan, and Sony Pictures Television produces the series. That production team has kept the focus on a serialized story rather than a case of the week format alone.

Two familiar faces from the original series were set to return as Sergeant David Kay and Commander Robert Hicks in guest roles for the pilot. Moore, who is 56, has said he feels he owes it to Hondo to look and move the part, and he has described physical fitness as important to playing an officer.

Starz has already secured a second season for the spinoff. That gives the possible mole storyline room to develop well beyond the first run, so share in the comments which of Hondo’s recruits you suspect of hiding something, and whether the secret should break open in “The Project” or stay buried a little longer.