Country music star Riley Green is stepping into unfamiliar territory with his acting debut on Paramount’s Yellowstone spinoff series, Marshals, and he knows exactly what’s at stake.
In an exclusive interview with Military.com, Green spoke candidly about portraying Garrett, a former Navy SEAL dealing with the psychological weight of combat, and the responsibility that comes with representing real-world service members on screen.
There’s a level of pressure trying to represent something like that, that you don’t feel just playing any character.
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’s a role that pushed Green well outside his comfort zone, particularly when it came to portraying experiences he admits he hasn’t lived himself.
Riley Green Military.com Interview
That’s something I know nothing about beyond just relationships and friends that I’ve got that have served.
Learning From Those Who’ve Been There
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.
“I think we were beyond fortunate that there were Navy SEALs on set that we could kind of lean into if we had questions,” he said. “That was extremely helpful for me.”
That guidance extended to even the smallest details. Green described spending downtime between takes practicing basic combat mechanics, like reloading a weapon, until it became second nature.
“They said you need to be able to do it without thinking about it, without looking at it,” he said. “We might have a 30-minute break, and I’d be over there just constantly changing the magazine out, putting it back in.”
For Green, those details mattered because they’re exactly what military viewers notice.
“That’s what’s going to make it seem real to somebody who actually has been in that situation,” he said.
From Headlining Tours to Being “The New Guy”
While Green is used to commanding a stage in front of thousands, stepping onto a television set flipped that dynamic entirely.
“When I go to a show, everybody’s there to see me,” he said. “When you show up on a set… I’m not the guy. I’m like the new guy.”
That shift came with a different kind of pressure — one tied to the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
“There’s a pressure of, man, I’ve got to do my job right, or we’re all going to be here all day,” he said.
Still, Green said he embraced the challenge, comparing it to the mental switch he’s long had to make as a performer.
“When you’re on stage, you’ve got to be the happiest person in the room to be there,” he said. “That level of performance definitely helped.”
Balancing Authenticity With Familiar Ground
One way Marshals bridges Green’s real-life background with his character is through music. Garrett is written as someone who plays guitar, a detail that subtly connects the actor’s real-world identity to the role without overwhelming it.
“I didn’t want it to seem like it was just Riley Green on this show,” he said. “I wanted to be the character Garrett.”
The musical element, he added, serves as a “tip of the cap” rather than a defining trait.
A Deeper Appreciation for Service
If there’s one takeaway Green hopes audiences, especially veterans, get from his performance, it’s a sense of respect.
“I think I speak for all the cast that we’re extremely appreciative of everybody who served in the military and the things that they go through that we probably will never… be able to comprehend,” he said.
Working on the show, he added, offered a glimpse into that reality, even if only through imagination and storytelling.
“When you go, and you get to act on a show like this, it forces you to try to go there mentally,” he said.
What Comes Next
Green appears in multiple episodes of Marshals, and while he stopped short of confirming a return, he suggested Garrett’s story may not be finished.
“It’s possible that I could be back on the show,” he said. “I had a great experience with it.”
For now, the country star is continuing to explore acting opportunities — a new chapter that, much like his role in Marshals, comes with its own learning curve.
It was a challenge…And something I’d like to explore and try to do more of.
Green’s four-episode arc begins Sunday, April 19, with Season 1, Episode 8, “Blowback.” The installment follows the Marshals as they launch a manhunt after a tip about a dangerous fugitive, while Kayce and Cal are forced to confront their time in war when a former SEAL teammate, Garrett, reenters their lives. The episode airs from 8 to 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and will also be available to stream on Paramount+, with live access for Premium subscribers and next-day on-demand viewing for Essential plan users.
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