Netflix has canceled ‘Boots’ after a single season, bringing an abrupt end to the queer coming-of-age drama that gained attention both for its storytelling and for criticism from the U.S. Department of Defense. The series premiered on October 9 and followed a group of Marine Corps recruits in 1990, a time when LGBTQ+ people were barred from serving openly in the military. Created by Andy Parker and inspired by Greg Cope White’s memoir The Pink Marine, the show centered on Cameron Cope, a closeted teenager played by Miles Heizer, who enlists alongside his best friend while searching for purpose and escape.
Executive produced by Norman Lear, Boots was the legendary producer’s final television project before his death in 2023. The eight-episode season blended humor and drama to explore identity, masculinity, and survival within a rigid institutional culture. The ensemble cast included Liam Oh, Vera Farmiga, Max Parker, Cedrick Cooper, Ana Ayora, Nicholas Logan, and Angus O’Brien. The series received favorable critical response and strong viewer scores, and it spent four weeks in Netflix’s Top 10, peaking at No. 2.
Despite the show’s popularity, Netflix opted not to order a second season. Industry reporting indicated the decision followed an extended internal review that included analysis of long-term viewership performance. Because of Netflix’s exclusivity terms, the series is unlikely to continue on another platform.
“Boots” became part of a wider public conversation after the Pentagon publicly criticized the series following its release.
In response to an inquiry from Entertainment Weekly, Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson took aim at the series in the following statement: “Under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, the U.S. military is getting back to restoring the warrior ethos. Our standards across the board are elite, uniform, and sex neutral because the weight of a rucksack or a human being doesn’t care if you’re a man, a woman, gay, or straight. We will not compromise our standards to satisfy an ideological agenda, unlike Netflix, whose leadership consistently produces and feeds woke garbage to their audience and children.” The remark drew renewed attention to the show and highlighted ongoing resistance to LGBTQ+ narratives connected to military history, particularly stories set during periods of official exclusion.
After the cancellation was confirmed, cast members shared reactions that reflected disappointment alongside pride in the work. Heizer, who was named an Out100 honoree in 2025, announced the news in a social media post. “I’m sad to report that “Boots’ isn’t being renewed for a second season,” he wrote, thanking fans, the creative team, and the LGBTQ+ community for their support. Referencing the backlash directly, Heizer added that being “called woke garbage by the Pentagon” was something he would “cherish for the rest of my life.”
Other cast members echoed that sentiment. Angus O’Brien, who portrayed Hicks, thanked the cast and crew for creating what he described as a deeply affirming environment, while Sachin Bhatt, who played Major Wilkinson, expressed gratitude to viewers and encouraged audiences to “keep telling your queer stories.”
The cancellation leaves Boots with a single completed season, preserving a portrayal of queer life within a historically restrictive institution. While its future remains closed, the series’ reception and response underscore the cultural impact it achieved during its brief run.
It was so bad I couldn’t get through the first five minutes. The writing, acting, and directing were terrible. And I will watch ANYTHING with hot guys in uniform.