Riley Green makes acting debut on Marshals, plays Navy SEAL named Garrett

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• Riley Green Steps Into the Taylor Sheridan Universe as Garrett
• From Country Star to Television Actor in Two Months
• Garrett’s Musical Moment and the Emotional Weight of “My Way”
• Fan Reactions Prove Riley Green Is “A Natural” at Acting
• Is This the Beginning of Riley Green’s Acting Career Beyond Country Music?
  • Sources

Riley Green just shocked country music fans by stepping into acting with a major role on CBS’s hit spinoff Marshals. The 37-year-old country star made his dramatic debut as Garrett, a troubled former Navy SEAL seeking help from his longtime friend. What happens next will leave viewers wanting more.

Riley Green Steps Into the Taylor Sheridan Universe as Garrett

Riley Green’s character Garrett arrives at Kayce Dutton’s ranch as an unexpected guest carrying little more than a guitar case and a heavy past. The Alabama native plays a former Navy SEAL who fought alongside Kayce in Afghanistan. Their reunion becomes tense when Garrett reveals he’s been struggling with life outside the military. In his first scene, Green delivers intense acting as Garrett wakes from a PTSD nightmare, showcasing the character’s emotional depth.

The role came about naturally during songwriting sessions with Luke Grimes. Green mentioned his interest in acting, and Grimes immediately offered him the opportunity. “I mentioned I had some interest in acting,” Green stated. “I didn’t know it would turn into a job so quickly.” The chance to work with his friend made the entire experience more comfortable.

From Country Star to Television Actor in Two Months

Riley Green recently received four major nominations for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, including Best Male Artist and Album of the Year for “Don’t Mind If I Do.” Now he’s proving he has serious acting chops. The 6-foot-4 artist brought his trademark mustache to the role, which producers loved. Green had to maintain the facial hair for two months during filming for continuity.

What surprised Green was how comfortable he felt on set. “They threw it on me so fast I didn’t have to get nervous about it,” he explained. “I wanted this to be a real acting gig, and I was lucky. This character has a lot of range and there’s a lot of emotion.” His natural chemistry with Luke Grimes carries the most emotional scenes, particularly a campfire moment in the April 26 episode.

Garrett’s Musical Moment and the Emotional Weight of “My Way”

One of the standout scenes features Green’s character performing “My Way,” a custom song crafted for this exact moment. The ballad captures Garrett’s emotional vulnerability as he sings to Kayce, who is grieving the loss of his late wife Monica. “When I was told I was performing, and I didn’t know I was at first, I thought one hundred percent this song was so perfect for that moment,” Green shared about the musical scene.

Detail	Information
Show	Marshals (CBS Yellowstone Spinoff)
First Episode	April 19, 2026, Episode 8 “Blowback”
Character Name	Garrett, Former Navy SEAL
Co-Star	Luke Grimes (Kayce Dutton)
Episodes Planned	4 Total

The campfire scene showcases just how much chemistry exists between Green and Grimes. Kayce becomes emotional hearing the song, clearly missing his deceased wife. Green brings authentic vulnerability to the moment, proving this isn’t just a celebrity cameo but a genuine acting performance.

“I wanted this to be a real acting gig, and I was lucky. This character has a lot of range and there’s a lot of emotion. He’s a really kind of damaged guy.”

— Riley Green, Country Music Star

Fan Reactions Prove Riley Green Is “A Natural” at Acting

Social media praise poured in immediately after April 19‘s episode aired. Viewers called Green “a natural” and praised his emotional depth. One fan wrote, “He did an excellent job acting. Keep him on.” Another fan added, “He fit in well with the cast” and even suggested he should become a recurring role for Season 2. Country Living readers responded overwhelmingly positive. “A natural! Perfect for the role!!!” became a common refrain.

Green has already confirmed his return in the April 26 episode, with producers hinting “there’s a possibility he could be back” beyond his initial 4-episode commitment. Beyond Marshals, a representative from the Screen Actors Guild called about other opportunities. Green joked about not giving his social security number over the phone, but the interest shows his acting debut has serious Hollywood traction.

Is This the Beginning of Riley Green’s Acting Career Beyond Country Music?

The success of Green’s acting debut opens doors for Season 2 and potentially other Taylor Sheridan projects. His performance proves country musicians can transition to drama when given substantive roles with emotional complexity. Green brings both his music and his authentic rugged appeal to Garrett, creating a character fans will remember. With four ACM nominations already in his pocket and now acting credits building, Riley Green is officially operating at two successful careers simultaneously.

Country fans who’ve followed Green’s music career over the years know his emotional vulnerability in his songwriting. That same authenticity carries over to his acting work. Whether Garrett becomes a lasting character or a memorable guest arc, Green has proven he belongs in the world of television drama.

Sources

• USA Today – Riley Green’s exclusive interview about his Marshals debut and character motivation
• Country Living – Fan reactions and episode recap of Riley Green’s acting debut
• TV Insider – Episode recap and details about Riley Green’s character Garrett