Boots (TV series)

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Boots
Boots (TV series) poster.jpg
Genre Military comedy drama
Created byAndy Parker
Based onThe Pink Marine by Greg Cope White
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
Running time40–50 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network Netflix
ReleaseOctober 9, 2025 (2025-10-09)

Boots is an American military comedy drama television series created by Andy Parker, based on the memoir The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White. It follows Cameron Cope, a closeted gay 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.

Contents

Premise

In the 1990s, Cameron Cope, a closeted gay American teenager, impulsively follows his best friend Ray McAffey into the United States Marine Corps. [1]

Cast

Main

Recurring

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"The Pink Marine" Peter Hoar Andy ParkerOctober 9, 2025 (2025-10-09)
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.
2"The Buddy System" Phil Abraham Jonathan Caren October 9, 2025 (2025-10-09)
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 AbrahamAndrea CiannaveiOctober 9, 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.
4"Sink or Swim" Silas Howard Greg Cope WhiteOctober 9, 2025 (2025-10-09)
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 HowardMegan Ferrell BurkeOctober 9, 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.
6"The Things We Carry" Kyle Patrick Alvarez Nick Jones Jr.October 9, 2025 (2025-10-09)
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.
7"Love is a Battlefield" Tanya Hamilton Dominic ColonOctober 9, 2025 (2025-10-09)
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 AlvarezAndrea Ciannavei & Andy ParkerOctober 9, 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]

Casting

The main cast includes Vera Farmiga, Miles Heizer, Max Parker, Liam Oh, Ana Ayora, Blake Burt, Kieron Moore, Dominic Goodman, Angus O'Brien and Rico Paris, with many of the cast optioned for a possible second season in August 2025. [6] Additional cast of the series includes Brandon Tyler Moore, Zach Roerig, Anthony Marble, Joy Osmanski, Ivan Hoey Jr., Logan Gould, Jack Kay, Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson, Johnathan Nieves and Brett Dalton. [5]

Filming

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]

References

  1. "Netflix's closeted teen Marine show Boots drops first trailer". Out.com. September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  2. White, Greg Cope (2016). The Pink Marine (Revised, 2nd ed.). California: AboutFace Books. ISBN   978-0-9972857-1-0 . Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 Porter, Rick (May 1, 2023). "Gay U.S. Marine Drama From Norman Lear a Go at Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  4. Sim, Bernardo. "A guide to the Boots actors, characters, and gay storylines". www.out.com. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 Petski, Denise (September 22, 2025). "'Boots' Trailer: Miles Heizer, Liam Oh & Vera Farmiga Star In Norman Lear's '90s Era Gay Marine Dramedy". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  6. Andreeva, Nellie (August 29, 2025). "'Boots' Cast Options Extended Ahead Of Netflix Series' Premiere". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  7. Andreeva, Nellie (August 14, 2025). "Netflix's Long-Delayed 'The Pink Marine' Series Adaptation 'Boots', Produced By Norman Lear, Gets Premiere Date". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  8. "Boots: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  9. "Boots Reviews - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  10. Lawler, Kelly. "Netflix's 'Boots' is the hidden gem TV show of the year". USA Today. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  11. "Netflix's "Boots" is a Trite Coming-of-Age Tale with a Hollow Corps | TV/Streaming | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. October 9, 2025. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  12. "Pentagon Pete Goon Melts Down at Netflix After Releasing Gay Marine Show 'Boots'". The Daily Beast via Yahoo News. October 17, 2025. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  13. Stevens, Abigail (October 22, 2025). "Boots Hits New Streaming Milestone After Being Called "Woke Garbage" By Pentagon". ScreenRant. Retrieved October 23, 2025.