Boots is an American militarycomedy drama television series created by Andy Parker, based on the memoir The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White. It follows Cameron Cope, a closetedgay teenager from Louisiana who follows his best friend, Ray McAffey, into the United States Marine Corps. Just like the book, the series is set in the 1990s, and primarily follows Cope, McAffey, and their fellow Marines during basic training, as well as Cope's mother as she copes with her son's decision to enlist. It premiered on Netflix on October 9, 2025, and received positive reviews.
Set in the summer of 1990, Cameron Cope is a closeted high school graduate living in New Orleans who is regularly bullied at school or ignored by his family at home. Seeking purpose in his life, Cameron meets with his only friend, Ray, after the latter returns home from the Air Force Academy due to poor eye sight to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. Despite his initial reluctance to enlist with Ray due to the law against homosexuals in the military, Cameron is ultimately convinced to sign up to make a change in his life and the lack of other options. Upon arriving at Parris Island, Cameron initially finds boot camp to be overwhelming but is convinced by Ray to stick it out. Meanwhile, Cameron’s neglectful con artist mother Barbara remains unaware of her son’s whereabouts until she recalls Cameron saying goodbye before heading to boot camp and receiving a message from him on her answering machine.
As Boot camp begins to get underway, a training exercise begins to test the bonds between Cameron and Ray. Sergeant Sullivan, a mysterious new transfer from Guam, begins to make waves among the platoon. Twin brothers John and Cody bring their family baggage to Boot camp.
3
"The Confidence Course"
Phil Abraham
Andrea Ciannavei
October9,2025(2025-10-09)
A storm forces the recruits inside, where they are forced to engage in mind games and rigorous indoor training. Sullivan receives a surprise from his past. Still coping with Cameron being gone, Barbara begins to seek comfort in a Marine mom support group.
During an intense swim training, Ray suffers a setback, which forces Cameron to dive in with a risky scheme to keep him above water. Meanwhile, Sergeant Sullivan's time in Guam begins to catch up with him.
5
"Bullseye"
Silas Howard
Megan Ferrell Burke
October9,2025(2025-10-09)
While the recruits undergo competitive rifle training, an unexpected tragedy hits the platoon. NCIS investigation into Sergeant Sullivan begins to intensify.
As news of Ochoa's death spreads around base like wildfire, Cameron and the rest of the recruits try to grapple with his death. A miscommunication causes a major incident in the Mess Hall. Capt. Fajardo begins confides in Sergeant McKinnon. Cameron receives a new bunkmate, Jones, a transfer from a different platoon.
An intense combat training filled with manipulation, mind games and secrets pushes the platoon to its breaking point. Cameron begins to grow close with Jones. Meanwhile, recovering from alcohol poisoning, Ray begins to build a bond with a girl. Sullivan begins to unravel.
8
"The Crucible"
Kyle Patrick Alvarez
Andrea Ciannavei & Andy Parker
October9,2025(2025-10-09)
As the end of Boot Camp is around the corner, the recruits face a final test like no other that has them relying on brotherhood to make it pass the finish line. John and Cody receive terrible news. Cameron learns a surprising revelation that could jeopardize everything he worked for. Sullivan makes a life-altering decision.
Production
Development
Boots is produced by Sony Pictures Television and Act III Productions, and is inspired by the 2015 memoir The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White, who is also an executive producer.[2][3] It received a series order from Netflix in May 2023, and entered pre-production on June 7 of that year.[4] The series is created by Andy Parker, who adapted the book and serves as showrunner and executive producer, with Jennifer Cecil as executive producer and co-showrunner.[5][3]Norman Lear and Brent Miller of Act III also executive produce, alongside Rachel Davidson and Scott Hornbacher. Peter Hoar executive produces and directs the first episode.[3]
Production of the first season began in the summer of 2023 but was halted after one week due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Filming resumed in March 2024 and wrapped in August 2024.[7]
Release
The series was released on Netflix on October 9, 2025.[5]
Reception
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 90% approval rating based on 31 critic reviews. The website's critical consensus states, "Miles Heizer's terrific performance has the right stuff in Boots, a likable dramedy that explores masculinity and queerness to powerful effect".[8]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, gave a score of 72 out of 100 based on 20 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[9]
Writing for USA Today, Kelly Lawler calls the show "a sweet and funny new dramedy" and "the hidden gem TV show of the year." She goes on to write: "made of heart and soul, a military dramedy that eschews tired boot-camp tropes and wooden, stereotypical characters for a cast of complex and misunderstood individuals."[10]
Nandini Balial for Rogerebert.com was critical of the show saying the "flaws in “Boots” arise from two very different creative decisions." Balial goes on to say that the show is "an oversimplification of what military life was and is actually like for queer service members, despite the creators’ best intentions."[11]
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was openly critical of the series, one of his spokespersons branding it "woke garbage".[12] Following the remarks, the series doubled in viewership.[13]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
