The CBS Yellowstone spinoff Marshals introduced a new, complicated ally for Luke Grimes’ Kayce Dutton when country singer Riley Green appeared as Garrett. In Episode 8, titled “Blowback”, Garrett arrives at Kayce’s ranch and immediately brings a history that ties directly to Kayce and Cal’s military past. The role represents Green’s first on-screen acting job and arrives after a creative connection: a songwriting session with Grimes that eventually turned into an audition and then a multi-episode arc. This piece breaks down the casting origins, the character’s contours, and what viewers can expect from Green’s portrayal in the episodes that follow.
Green’s introduction to the series continues a tradition within the Yellowstone universe of featuring real-life country artists in front of and behind the camera. While the series itself still wrestles with darker storytelling elements, this casting choice highlights the franchise’s recurring link with country music. Behind the scenes, Grimes — who also records music — suggested Green for the part after working on songs together, and the suggestion evolved into a written role that required a formal audition. The result is Garrett: an emotionally scarred former service member who leans on music and old friendships to survive.
How Garrett fits into the Marshals narrative
Within the show’s plot, Garrett is portrayed as a former teammate of Kayce and Pete “Cal” Calvin, tied to a Navy SEAL unit that suffered a traumatic loss. The narrative reveals that another team member, known as “Roner,” died during a mission, and Garrett has never fully recovered. He was eventually discharged from the SEALs amid unspecified trouble and has struggled in civilian life—sleeping on the streets at one point—while wrestling with what the show describes as extreme PTSD. His return complicates current missions and personal tensions, especially with Cal, setting up confrontations that go beyond the immediate manhunt at the center of Episode 8.
From stage to set: Green’s path to the role
Riley Green arrives on Marshals with an established music career: years of touring, multiple albums, and industry recognition. The casting seed was planted during a songwriting meeting with Luke Grimes, who saw Green as someone who could credibly play a former team member. Although the production team and the showrunner knew of Green, network decision-makers required an audition — one that Grimes joined — to confirm his acting ability. Green’s successful audition led to a planned multi-episode run, and he reportedly filmed scenes that show both his character’s vulnerability and the skills required for action sequences.
On-set preparation and authenticity
To honor the military aspects of the role, Green worked with technical advisors, including former Navy SEALs, who helped shape his physicality and behavior on screen. He practiced routine motions until they became instinctive, such as weapon reloads, because small technical details can be critical for viewers with service experience. That attention to craft also extended to the emotional beats: Green leaned on veterans and the production’s advisors to render Garrett’s traumatic episodes and nightmares with authenticity rather than caricature.
What to expect from Garrett in upcoming episodes
Beyond the initial encounter on Kayce’s property, Garrett’s storyline is set to include musical moments and deeper emotional reveals. The showrunners allowed Green to bring music into Garrett’s scenes: viewers will see him perform a song, reportedly “My Way,” during an intimate campfire sequence with Kayce. Narrative threads also hint at possible rescues, raids, and clashes tied to the team’s past missions; Episode 9’s logline suggests an escalating rescue attempt and high-stakes action involving the Marshals. Though Green’s first installment is Episode 8, reports indicate he appears across several episodes and that there’s potential for the character to return beyond the initial arc.
Broader implications for the series
Garrett’s presence introduces both a human and tactical complication for the Marshals team: he reflects how combat trauma and loyalty can push characters into morally fraught spaces, and he adds a character whose musical side provides a softer counterpoint to the series’ confrontations. As the show balances procedural elements with personal drama, Garrett may catalyze reconciliation between old teammates or expose fissures that drive future plots. For fans of the franchise, the casting shows the producers’ willingness to blend musical talent with dramatic roles to deepen the Yellowstone universe.