Riley Green: A New Role, A New Challenge
Country music sensation Riley Green is venturing into uncharted territory, making his acting debut in Paramount’s highly anticipated *Yellowstone* spinoff, *Marshals*. The role isn’t just a career shift; it’s a profound responsibility, as Green portrays Garrett, a former Navy SEAL wrestling with the invisible wounds of combat. In an exclusive conversation with Military.com, Green shared his insights into the character and the weight of accurately representing the experiences of real-world service members.
“There’s a level of pressure trying to represent something like that, that you don’t feel just playing any character,” Green admitted. Garrett is introduced as a former teammate of Kayce Dutton, burdened by what Green describes as “extreme PTSD” stemming from his time in service. This role demanded a departure from Green’s comfort zone, requiring him to embody experiences far removed from his own.
Bridging the Gap: Research and Real-World Guidance
Acknowledging his lack of direct experience, Green leaned heavily on the expertise of actual Navy SEALs who served as technical advisors on set. Their presence proved invaluable, offering firsthand insights and ensuring authenticity. “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 explained. This guidance extended to the minutiae of military procedure.
Green dedicated downtime to mastering basic combat mechanics, like weapon reloading, until they became instinctive. “They said you need to be able to do it without thinking about it, without looking at it,” he recalled. “We might have a 30-minute break, and I’d be over there just constantly changing the magazine out, putting it back in.” He understood that these details are crucial for resonating with military viewers – those who would immediately recognize any inaccuracies.
From Stage Presence to Set Etiquette
The transition from commanding a stage to navigating a television set presented a unique challenge. “When I go to a show, everybody’s there to see me,” Green observed. “When you show up on a set… I’m not the guy. I’m like the new guy.” This shift brought a different kind of pressure – the need to deliver a flawless performance to avoid disrupting the collaborative filmmaking process. “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.
However, Green embraced the challenge, drawing parallels to the mental discipline required for his musical performances. “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.”
Music as a Connection
The character of Garrett is written as a guitar player, a detail that subtly connects Green’s real-life identity to the role without overshadowing it. “I didn’t want it to seem like it was just Riley Green on this show,” he emphasized. “I wanted to be the character Garrett.” The musical element serves as a respectful nod rather than a defining characteristic.
A Message of Respect
Ultimately, Green hopes his performance conveys a sense of respect for veterans and their sacrifices. “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 stated. He added that working on the show provided a glimpse into the realities faced by service members, even if only through imagination and storytelling.
Green appears in multiple episodes of *Marshals*, and while he remained coy about a potential return, he hinted that Garrett’s story might not be over. “It’s possible that I could be back on the show,” he said. “I had a great experience with it.” He’s now exploring further acting opportunities, viewing this new chapter as a learning curve and a welcome challenge.
Green’s four-episode arc began on Sunday, April 19, with Season 1, Episode 8, “Blowback.” The episode 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.
Source: Military.com
