Country music star Riley Green is trading his guitar for a badge. The 37-year-old singer, known for hits like “Worst Way” and “You Look Like You Love Me,” is making his official acting debut in the new Yellowstone spinoff, Marshals. Green joins his real-life friend Luke Grimes in the series, which picks up with Grimes’ character, Kayce Dutton, as he leaves the family ranch behind to join an elite unit of lawmen.
The news, first broken by Variety and confirmed by the CBS show’s social media, puts an end to weeks of fan speculation. Eagle-eyed viewers spotted a mustachioed man in a ball cap playing guitar by a campfire in the show’s trailer and immediately recognized the Alabama native . Now, with the March 1 premiere date fast approaching, Green is sharing details about his nerves, his quick turnaround from audition to set, and why having Luke Grimes by his side made all the difference.
From Country Star to Navy SEAL: Who Is Riley Green Playing?
In Marshals, Riley Green takes on the role of Garrett, a former Navy SEAL with a heavy past. According to the official character description, Garrett arrives at the ranch looking for help from his friends, Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) and Pete Calvin (Logan Marshall-Green). He is hoping to lean on them to “put the demons of his past to rest” . This is not a simple walk-on cameo; Green is signed on as a guest star and will appear in multiple episodes during the first season .
For a first-time actor, playing a troubled military veteran is a serious undertaking. Green acknowledged the challenge in recent interviews, admitting that stepping onto a film set was a completely different kind of pressure than walking onto a concert stage. “It’s been a while since I’ve been nervous,” he told Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet. “When you walk on stage everybody’s there to see me and everybody works for me and when you go on a set nobody works for me and you get that feeling like I’m the new kid” .
That feeling of being the “new kid” was eased by the presence of his friend, Luke Grimes. Green has been open about how the Yellowstone veteran encouraged him to go for the role.
Riley Green and Luke Grimes: Friendship Brings Kayce Dutton and Garrett Together
The connection between Riley Green and Luke Grimes goes beyond the script. The two hit it off as friends long before cameras started rolling on Marshals. In fact, it was Grimes who pushed Green to audition.
During a red carpet interview, Green explained that the entire process happened in a whirlwind. He auditioned for the part on a Saturday. By Monday, he was on a plane and filming scenes . It was a fast introduction to the world of television, but having a friendly face in Grimes made the transition smoother.
“I’m so excited to be joining the cast of ‘Marshals,’” Green said in an official statement obtained by Variety. “Being on set with my buddy Luke Grimes made the experience even more memorable. This is my first go around in the acting space and I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to this world” .
The feeling of camaraderie appears to be mutual. Grimes, who also serves as an executive producer on the show, has been fully supportive of bringing country music talent into the Yellowstone orbit.
More Than Just a Cameo: Country Stars Take Over the Yellowstone Universe
Riley Green is not the first musician to cross over into Taylor Sheridan’s gritty Western world, and he certainly won’t be the last. The Yellowstone franchise has a long history of featuring real-life country artists in acting roles. Most recently, Lainey Wilson played Abby during season 5 of the flagship series .
However, Marshals seems to be taking this tradition to the next level. Co-star Arielle Kebbel teased during an appearance on CBS Mornings that viewers should keep their eyes peeled. “One of the really nice elements to our show is, throughout the season, we’re able to bring on a number of country stars, and I think you’ll recognise all of them,” Kebbel said .
This approach blurs the line between the music and television industries, creating a sense of authenticity that the Yellowstone franchise is known for. For Green, the role felt like a natural extension of his career. During a press event in Nashville earlier in February, he hinted that acting was something he had been thinking about for a while, especially given how shows like Yellowstone have highlighted the Western lifestyle .
What Is ‘Marshals’ About? A Fresh Start for Kayce Dutton
For those unfamiliar with the new series, Marshals (formerly titled Y: Marshals) serves as a direct continuation of Kayce Dutton’s story following the events of Yellowstone season 5.
The official synopsis reads: “With the Yellowstone Ranch behind him, Dutton joins an elite unit of U.S. Marshals, combining his skills as a cowboy and Navy SEAL to bring range justice to Montana” . The show will explore how Kayce and his new team—including Logan Marshall-Green as Pete Calvin, Arielle Kebbel as Belle Skinner, Ash Santos as Andrea Cruz, and Tatanka Means as Miles Kittle—handle the violent crimes plaguing the region while also dealing with the psychological toll the job takes on them and their families.
Fans of the original series will be happy to see some familiar faces. Gil Birmingham returns as Thomas Rainwater, Mo Brings Plenty is back as Mo, and Brecken Merrill reprises his role as Kayce’s son, Tate . This mix of old and new characters provides a bridge between the world fans fell in love with and this new chapter.
From Audition to Red Carpet: Riley Green’s Hollywood Moment
The excitement surrounding Riley Green’s casting hit a high note on February 24, 2026, when he walked the red carpet at the official Marshals premiere in Los Angeles. The event was held at the Autry Museum of the American West, a fitting venue for a Western spinoff .
Green joined his co-stars Luke Grimes, Arielle Kebbel, Gil Birmingham, and others for the glamorous event. Photos from the night show the singer looking comfortable and confident in the Hollywood setting, a far cry from the nervous “new kid” he described just weeks earlier.
For Green’s dedicated fan base, seeing him on the red carpet was a proud moment. Social media has been buzzing with support. One fan commented on Facebook, “I’m so excited for Riley! He’s such a nice cool guy and I think he will do great! I’m a fellow Alabamian so I’m rooting for him” . Another added, “Can’t wait !!! Anticipation and excitement overload from this die hard Yellowstone fan !!!! Riley and Luke together will be spectacular” .
When and Where to Watch ‘Marshals’
If you want to see Riley Green make his acting debut, you won’t have to wait long. Marshals is scheduled to premiere on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
Here are the detailed global release and streaming details:
- United States: The show will air on CBS at 8:00 PM ET/PT . For those who prefer streaming, it will be available live and on-demand on Paramount+ for Premium subscribers. Viewers with the essential Paramount+ plan can watch the episode on-demand the day after it airs .
- United Kingdom: While the CBS broadcast is US-specific, the show is expected to land on Paramount+ in the UK shortly after the US premiere, following the typical distribution pattern for Yellowstone franchise content.
- Canada: Canadian viewers can likely catch the show on Paramount+ or through network partners that carry CBS content.
- Australia: Similar to other regions, Paramount+ Australia is the expected home for the series.
- India: Marshals will be available for streaming on Paramount+ via its partnership with Voot or directly through the platform, depending on the current distribution agreements.
The first season is set to consist of 13 episodes . This gives Riley Green plenty of room to develop his character, Garrett, and prove his chops as more than just a musician dabbling in television.
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What’s Next for Riley Green?
Even with this exciting new chapter in acting, Riley Green is not slowing down his music career. In fact, 2026 is shaping up to be one of his busiest years yet. He is headlining the extensive Cowboy As It Gets tour, with stops all across North America and Australia. He is also scheduled to perform at major festivals including Stagecoach, the Carolina Country Music Festival, CMA Fest, and the iHeartCountry Festival in Austin, Texas, on May 2 .
Balancing a headlining tour with a recurring television role is no small feat, but if his quick transition from Saturday audition to Monday filming is any indication, Green thrives under pressure.
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