Riley Green’s ‘Marshals’ Character Is More Broken Than You Think — And He Could Be Back
Country music stardom is one thing. Holding your own in the Yellowstone universe is something else entirely. Riley Green is doing exactly that in the CBS spinoff ‘Marshals’, and the reception to his acting debut has been a lot louder than even he expected.
Green makes his acting debut as Garrett, a former Navy SEAL with a mysterious and troubled past who seeks help from Kayce Dutton, played by Luke Grimes, in the ‘Yellowstone’ spinoff series ‘Marshals’ on CBS. For a first outing in front of a camera in a dramatic role, Green has stepped into some heavy material — and by all accounts, he has not stumbled.
Who Garrett Is in the ‘Marshals’ Yellowstone Spinoff
Riley Green plays Garrett, an old friend and former Navy SEAL teammate of Luke Grimes’ character Kayce Dutton. Green describes Garrett as “really kind of a damaged guy.” That description barely scratches the surface of what viewers see on screen.
Garrett hopes to lean on his friends Kayce and Cal, played by Logan Marshall-Green, to help “put the demons of his past to rest.” Green’s character arrives at Kayce’s ranch unexpectedly, pulling the lead and his fellow veteran back into a chapter of their lives they have clearly tried to move beyond.
‘Marshals’ stars Grimes as Kayce Dutton, who is seeking a new start with the U.S. Marshals alongside his fellow Navy SEAL veteran Cal after the death of his wife Monica. Garrett’s arrival cuts straight to the emotional center of that premise, forcing Kayce to reckon with a version of himself that existed long before badges and jurisdiction.
Green plays Garrett as Kayce Dutton’s friend and former SEAL Team member in what critics are already calling the show’s best episode yet.
Garrett’s PTSD Arc and What Happens to Him
Green’s character, Garrett, is introduced as a former teammate of Kayce Dutton, carrying what the singer described as “extreme PTSD” from his time in service. It is a role that pushed Green well outside his comfort zone, particularly when it came to portraying experiences he admits he has not lived himself. To bridge that gap, Green relied heavily on the presence of real Navy SEALs on set, who served as both technical advisors and firsthand sources of insight.
Onscreen, Garrett experiences an intense post-traumatic stress disorder episode early on after the audience first meets him. That sequence sets the tone for everything the character carries with him throughout his time in the show, grounding his arc in something that feels genuinely raw rather than decorative.
Green’s first episode is Season 1 Episode 8, titled “Blowback,” followed by his appearance in Season 1 Episode 9, “In Low Places,” where he is seen wearing U.S. Marshals gear. In Episode 9, Kayce leads the team into a risky assault on a paramilitary compound to rescue a teammate taken prisoner, outmanned and outgunned with time running out. Garrett is right in the middle of all of it, his demons and his combat instincts colliding in real time.
Green returns as Garrett in Episode 10, titled “Playing with Fire,” which marks the beginning of a new arc following the conclusion of his initial introduction across Episodes 8 and 9. Green also gets a memorable quieter moment among the action, strumming a guitar and performing his song “My Way” in a campfire scene, a detail that blurs the line between the performer and the character in a way the show uses deliberately.
How Riley Green’s Acting Debut Actually Came Together
The opportunity arose when Grimes came to Nashville to pursue his country music career, and the two wrote songs together. Grimes suggested Green give acting a try, and the idea had already been on Green’s radar for some time beforehand. When his ‘Marshals’ role came together, it all happened very quickly.
Green flew out to read for the part on a Saturday, flew back, and started filming on Monday. He also credited Tim McGraw, who starred in the ‘Yellowstone’ spinoff ‘1883’, with offering early guidance about the transition from music to acting.
Green revealed he had to audition for the role despite his friendship with Grimes, and he said he would not have wanted it any other way. “I wouldn’t want to be given a part because of something I’ve done in music,” he said. “I want to somewhat earn it if I can.” That attitude, it turns out, translated directly into the work.
Whether Garrett Could Return to ‘Marshals’
Green said it is possible he could return to the show. “It’s possible that I could be back on the show,” he said. “I had a great experience with it.” That is about as noncommittal as a door being left wide open.
Green left the door open for more appearances from Garrett, telling USA Today, “There’s the possibility that he could be back,” while declining to offer any clues about what will happen to his character after the conclusion of his multi-episode arc.
Green’s Garrett is a welcome addition to the ‘Yellowstone’ universe for fans who have always wanted more of Kayce’s military backstory. As a former SEAL Team member and old friend, Garrett opens up a chapter of Kayce Dutton’s life that the flagship show only ever touched on, and based on his introduction, the character could have a significant role to play going forward.
Whether that actually happens depends on how the season closes out and whether the writers find a reason to bring a broken but compelling veteran back into Kayce’s orbit.
Given how the fandom has responded to Garrett’s arrival, the real question might be less about whether the writers want him back, and more about whether audiences will accept it if they do not bring him back — so if you have been watching his arc unfold, what do you think should happen to Garrett by the time ‘Marshals’ Season 1 wraps up?
