“Marshals” fans may be shocked to hear Riley Green’s character Garrett diss Alabama on the CBS show. But “they know how I feel about being from here, and I am proud of this area where I’m from.”
Riley Green wants to make it clear that when his “Marshals” TV character takes a swipe at the state of Alabama, that’s pure acting.
Green, 37, makes his acting debut as the former Navy SEAL Garrett in four episodes of the CBS “Yellowstone” spinoff, starting Sunday, April 19 (8 p.m. ET/PT). Garrett reunites with former SEAL Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes), and during drinks, utters a ‘Bama slam referencing the I-20 interstate.
“The only good thing to come out of there,” Garrett says of Alabama, “is the I-20, myself included.”
“I certainly need to clarify that,” Green tells USA TODAY, speaking from his 680-acre farm outside Jacksonville, Alabama, his beloved home state. “One thing about my fans, especially my Alabama fans: They know how I feel about being from here, and I am proud of this area where I’m from.”
But that’s Hollywood, folks. “I did think it was cool that my character was written as being from Alabama,” Green adds.
There’s a reason behind Garrett’s diss. The line instantly tells a story about the troubled veteran who arrives to Montana by bus, carrying little more than a guitar case. The statement signals that Garrett is “rough, and that growing up where he did caused that,” Green says.
Riley Green’s ‘Marshals’ role came from songwriting sessions with Luke Grimes
The acting debut of the “Ain’t My Last Rodeo” singer is a well-timed “Marshals” coup. The 6-foot-4 country artist is a force who just received four big nominations for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, including best male artist and album of the year for “Don’t Mind If I Do.”
With those piercing blue eyes, natural comic timing, and rugged appeal, Green was bound to land somewhere in the Taylor Sheridan-verse. Green pulled the “Marshals” gig from Nashville songwriting sessions with Grimes for the budding country singer’s album “Red Bird.”
“I mentioned I had some interest in acting,” says Green. “I didn’t know it would turn into a job so quickly. (Grimes) certainly threw me a bone getting me on this show.”
The “Marshals” backstory: Garrett fought in Afghanistan with Kayce and his U.S. Marshals boss, Pete Calvin (Logan Marshall-Green), who is wary about Garrett’s mysterious reappearance. Green’s first scene involved an intense PTSD experience, waking up with night terrors in Kayce’s house.
“They threw it on me so fast I didn’t have to get nervous about it,” says Green. “I wanted this to be a real acting gig, and I was lucky. This character has a lot of range and there’s a lot of emotion. He’s a really kind of damaged guy.”
The rapport with Grimes and Garrett’s campfire singing moment (in the Apr. 26 episode) came naturally. Green had his song “My Way” in his back pocket.
“When I was told I was performing, and I didn’t know I was at first, I thought 100% this song was so perfect for that moment, ” says Green. “There are some songs that are very cowboy-type songs.”
The campfire song scene showcases that Kayce Dutton is still missing his late “Yellowstone” wife Monica (Kelsey Asbille), who died offscreen before the transition to the CBS primetime series.
“Obviously, Kayce’s wife is no longer with us,” says Green.
The song is all about missing a lost love. Kayce gets teared up, and it’s not from the campfire smoke.
‘Marshals’ showcases Riley Green’s famed mustache
Besides the guitar, Green also brought his trademark mustache to “Marshals.” The singer was surprised that producers didn’t ask him to change a thing.
“I guess I look sort of Western with the mustache, the scruffy beard and I cut my own hair half the time when I’m on the road,” says Green. “It isn’t much of a stretch from me what Garrett looks and dresses like.”
The bonus for fans is that Green had to keep the ‘stache during two months of filming for continuity. His fans mourn on social media when the “Different ‘Round Here” singer spontaneously shaves.
“The tough part for me through these two months of filming was I couldn’t wake up and shave in the morning if I wanted to,” says Green. “I’m pretty bad. If it’s hot out, I just shave it off randomly.”
What happens to Riley Green in ‘Marshals’?
Green won’t say what happens with Garrett at the end of the four episodes, teasing that “there’s the possibility that he could be back.”