The Yellowstone universe keeps expanding, and Marshals Episode 8 brought some major moments for fans of the franchise. The episode titled Blowback aired on CBS on April 19, 2026, and it introduced a new face to the Dutton world while pushing forward the intense manhunt storyline.
This episode marks a big moment because country music star Riley Green made his acting debut. He plays Garrett, a former Navy SEAL who served with Kayce Dutton and Pete Cal Calvin in Afghanistan. Green is known for hits like “Different ‘Round Here” and “Don’t Mind If I Do,” and now he is adding actor to his resume.
The episode also showed the Marshals chasing a dangerous fugitive, but things took a dark turn when Andrea Cruz got kidnapped by Randall Clegg, a longtime enemy of the Dutton family. With one of their own in danger, the team now faces a serious fight to get her back.
Riley Green Makes His Acting Debut as Garrett
Riley Green, the 37-year-old country singer from Alabama, stepped into his first acting role playing Garrett in Marshals Episode 8. His character arrives at Kayce’s ranch by bus, carrying just a bag and a guitar case. Tate Dutton first spots the stranger and warns his father, but Kayce quickly recognizes his old military brother.
The backstory between Garrett, Kayce, and Cal runs deep. They served together in Afghanistan with a fourth teammate named Roner, who died during a mission gone wrong. Since leaving the military, Garrett has had a rough path. He tells Kayce he has been in and out of jail, psych wards, and rehab, even sleeping on the streets at times.
Garrett turned to music as a way to deal with his pain. In an upcoming episode, viewers will see him perform his song My Way during a campfire scene with Kayce. Green said in an interview that watching Tim McGraw in 1883 inspired him to try acting.
“I watched everything that was out, just like everybody else did. All [Sheridan’s] movies and TV shows have something special sprinkled on them. Seeing how good Tim McGraw was in 1883, that is probably what got me interested in acting.” – Riley Green
The singer shared that his friend Luke Grimes helped him land the role. The two had a songwriting session together, and Green mentioned he wanted to try acting. Grimes then helped him get on the show. Green is set to appear in four episodes of Marshals, with the possibility of returning for more.
Kayce Dutton Reunites with His Military Brother
Luke Grimes returns as Kayce Dutton, the former Yellowstone ranch owner who now works as a U.S. Marshal in Montana. In Episode 8, viewers see a different side of Kayce as he reconnects with Garrett. After finding Garrett trapped in a violent nightmare, Kayce steps in and uses his calm SEAL training to steady his friend.
Kayce offers Garrett a place to stay at the ranch for as long as he needs. He tells Garrett that working on the family land and connecting with nature helped him heal his own wartime wounds. Kayce reassures Garrett that they are still brothers even if they are not teammates anymore.
The episode also shows Kayce leading the manhunt for a reported bank robber, but the tip turns out to be a setup. While the Marshals search for Reed Pollard, they learn he was already in a small-town jail for several days. This dead end forces the team to rethink their strategy.
Logan Marshall-Green Faces a Health Scare as Pete Calvin
Logan Marshall-Green plays Pete Cal Calvin, Kayce’s former commanding officer and close friend. In Blowback, Cal deals with more than just the case. He goes to a doctor’s appointment where he receives concerning news about his health. The episode does not fully reveal the diagnosis, but it is clear that Cal is facing something serious.
Cal also struggles with personal issues. He kissed his teammate Belle Skinner in a previous episode, and she turned him down. Now he finds out that Miles Kittle is dating his daughter Maddie. This double blow leaves Cal dealing with rejection and worry about his daughter’s choices.
Throughout the episode, Cal shows distrust toward Garrett. He warns Kayce that Garrett is still combustible after their last tour and tells him to be careful. The tension between Cal and Garrett hints at deeper secrets about what really happened during their deployment in Afghanistan.
Andrea Cruz Gets Kidnapped by Randall Clegg
Ash Santos plays Andrea Cruz, one of the Marshals on Kayce’s team. In Episode 8, she drives alone to the ballistics lab after Cal sends her off by herself. On the way, a truck crashes into her car, and she gets taken by unknown assailants.
The kidnappers reveal themselves as working for Randall Clegg, played by Michael Cudlitz. Randall is part of the Clegg family, who have been enemies of the Duttons since their original settlement in Montana. He wanted a mine built on the Broken Rock Reservation that would have given locals jobs but hurt the land. When Kayce showed up as a federal agent to stop the protest, Randall swore revenge.
By the end of Blowback, Andrea remains captive at Randall’s compound. The other Marshals prepare for a dangerous rescue mission, and Garrett may join the fight to help save her.
Supporting Cast and Characters in Episode 8
Arielle Kebbel returns as Belle Skinner, a tough member of the Marshal team who shares a close working relationship with Kayce. Her awkward interactions with Cal continue after their kiss, making things tense within the group.
Tatanka Means plays Miles Kittle, another Marshal whose relationship with Cal’s daughter creates friction between the two teammates.
Brecken Merrill appears as Tate Dutton, Kayce’s son. He warns his father about Garrett’s arrival and stays close to his dad throughout the episode.
Gil Birmingham and Mo Brings Plenty reprise their Yellowstone roles as Thomas Rainwater and Mo, Kayce’s allies from the Broken Rock Reservation. They provide support as Kayce balances his Marshal duties with his ties to the reservation.
What Happened in the Episode 8 Manhunt
The Marshals received a tip that a dangerous fugitive named Reed Pollard was on the loose in the area. The team quickly organized a manhunt, but the lead fell apart when they discovered Pollard had already been in custody for several days. The false tip seemed designed to distract the Marshals while Randall Clegg made his move against Andrea.
This twist shows that Randall is playing a longer game against Kayce and the federal agents. By sending the Marshals on a wild goose chase, he bought himself time to capture Andrea and set up his ambush.
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Where to Watch Marshals Episode 8
Marshals Episode 8, titled Blowback, aired on CBS on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET/PT. Viewers in the Central time zone could watch at 7:00 PM CT. The episode is also available for on-demand streaming on Paramount+. Premium subscribers can watch live and on demand the same night, while Essential subscribers get the episode the following day.
The series continues with Episode 9 titled In Low Places, which will air on CBS on April 26, 2026. The upcoming episode will focus on the Marshals planning a dangerous assault on Randall’s paramilitary compound to rescue Andrea. Garrett will likely join the team for this mission.
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