Netflix’s new series BOOTS trades camouflage for introspection, bringing a queer lens to the U.S. Marine Corps of the 1990s, an era when “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” forced LGBTQ+ service members to hide who they were to serve their country.
Based on Greg Cope White’s memoir The Pink Marine, the eight-episode dramedy follows Cameron Cope, a closeted young man played by 13 Reasons Why and Parenthood star Miles Heizer. Directionless and desperate for purpose, Cameron enlists alongside his confident best friend Ray McAffey (Liam Oh), whose father is a decorated Marine. What begins as a bid for belonging quickly turns into a test of loyalty, masculinity, and self-worth in a system designed to suppress individuality.
Finding Freedom in Uniform
The series, co-created by Andy Parker (Tales of the City) and Jennifer Cecil (One Tree Hill), blends humor and grit to capture the contradictions of military life for queer recruits. It’s less about combat and more about identity under siege.
As Cameron navigates boot camp’s strict hierarchy, the barracks become a microcosm of 1990s America, where conformity was survival and authenticity was rebellion. Max Parker’s Sgt. Sullivan embodies that tension. A decorated Marine haunted by his past, Sullivan recognizes Cameron’s quiet struggle and tries to prepare him for a world that won’t always salute his truth.
Even within its comedic rhythm, BOOTS carries the weight of history. Before the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in 2011, thousands of LGBTQ+ troops served in silence. The show honors that reality while celebrating the resilience that thrived despite it.
Family, Fear, and the Fight for Identity
Vera Farmiga brings complexity to Cameron’s mother, Barbara, whose chaotic presence contrasts her son’s search for discipline. While she runs from consequences, he runs toward them, only to find new ones waiting at every turn.
The ensemble cast, featuring Cedrick Cooper, Ana Ayora, Angus O’Brien, Dominic Goodman, and Joy Osmanski, rounds out a story that blends military precision with emotional nuance. Together, they turn boot camp into a battlefield of the self.
Legacy of Norman Lear Lives On
Executive produced by Norman Lear through ACT III Productions, alongside Brent Miller, Rachel Davidson, and Scott Hornbacher, BOOTS carries the DNA of Lear’s trailblazing television legacy: using humor to dismantle prejudice. Director Peter Hoar (It’s a Sin) ensures the show’s queer themes resonate beyond barracks walls.
With its mix of sharp wit and emotional honesty, BOOTS isn’t just about surviving the Marines, it’s about surviving yourself when the world refuses to see you.
BOOTS is now streaming on Netflix. For a full breakdown of how BOOTS kicks off, read our Episode 1 recap here.
