Netflix’s upcoming series Boots, a heartfelt and irreverent coming-of-age drama set against the rigid backdrop of the U.S. Marine Corps in 1990, is finally marching toward its premiere. The show, inspired by Greg Cope White’s memoir The Pink Marine, stars 13 Reasons Why alum Miles Heizer as a closeted teen navigating boot camp and self-acceptance. After a yearlong delay due to the 2023 Hollywood strikes, Boots will debut on Oct. 9, delivering a fresh, queer lens on a period and institution where being openly gay could end your career, or worse.
Originally titled The Corps, the series marks a significant milestone as the final television project from trailblazing producer Norman Lear, who died in December 2023 at the age of 101. Lear’s legacy as a champion of progressive storytelling continues in Boots, which unapologetically centers queer identity, friendship, masculinity, and resilience during a time when “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” wasn’t even official policy, it was just the unspoken law.
A Delayed but Powerful March Forward
Greenlit in May 2023, Boots began filming that summer but was quickly sidelined after just one week due to the dual WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes that halted most of Hollywood. Production finally resumed in March 2024 and wrapped by August, just three months ahead of the 2024 presidential election. While Netflix has not disclosed reasons for the extended delay in its release, the cultural landscape surrounding LGBTQ+ military representation has evolved rapidly, even within the past year, potentially amplifying the show’s resonance in today’s political climate.
Photo: Netflix
A Marine Corps Boot Camp Like No Other
At the heart of Boots is Cameron Cope, played by Heizer, a soft-spoken, closeted 18-year-old looking for purpose in a world that doesn’t yet allow him to be himself. Pushed by his mother and his own confusion, Cameron enlists in the U.S. Marine Corps alongside his straight best friend Ray McAffey (played by Liam Oh). Together, they join a ragtag group of diverse recruits from all walks of life, each with something to prove, something to hide, or both.
Set in 1990, before LGBTQ+ individuals could legally serve in the military, the series paints a vivid portrait of life on the inside, where masculinity is rigidly enforced, fear is constant, and camaraderie is the only way through. In this high-stakes environment, Cameron must decide whether to hide who he is or take the enormous risk of living out loud.
The show balances tension with comedy and vulnerability, evoking comparisons to Band of Brothers crossed with Sex Education. But Boots carves its own path, offering a rare window into the queer military experience without erasing its harsh realities.
From Memoir to Screen
The show draws heavily from Greg Cope White’s memoir The Pink Marine, which chronicled his own experience as a gay teenager entering Marine boot camp in the Reagan-Bush era. The adaptation maintains the emotional weight of White’s story while updating it with the stylized flair of a Netflix original, complete with ensemble storytelling, sharp dialogue, and deeply personal stakes.
While the story is fictionalized for television, its roots in lived queer history lend Boots an emotional authenticity. “It’s not just about being gay in the military,” a Netflix spokesperson said in a press release. “It’s about identity, friendship, fear, and the choice to be brave in the face of overwhelming pressure to conform.”
A Cast and Crew Committed to Representation
Joining Heizer and Oh in the ensemble cast are Max Parker, Vera Farmiga, Cedrick Cooper, Ana Ayora, Angus O’Brien, Dominic Goodman, Kieron Moore, Nicholas Logan, Rico Paris and Blake Burt. Farmiga, known for Bates Motel and The Conjuring, brings gravitas to the series in a key supporting role.
The showrunner, Jennifer Cecil, brings a strong track record in character-driven drama (Private Practice, Hell on Wheels), while creator Andy Parker co-leads as co-showrunner and executive producer. Norman Lear and his longtime producing partner Brent Miller executive produced through Act III Productions. The project also boasts direction from Peter Hoar (notably behind It’s a Sin and The Last of Us’ poignant queer episode “Long, Long Time”), who helms the pilot.
Lear’s Legacy Lives On
Norman Lear’s final television credit gives Boots added cultural weight. Known for pioneering social commentary in sitcoms like All in the Family, One Day at a Time, and The Jeffersons, Lear spent his career pushing the boundaries of what television could say, and who it could represent.
With Boots, Lear’s lifelong commitment to inclusive storytelling comes full circle. The show doesn’t just feature a gay protagonist; it treats queerness with depth, humor, and humanity. In a media landscape still catching up with authentic LGBTQ+ military stories, Boots is a rare and necessary addition.
A Timely Premiere for a Timeless Story
As the U.S. continues to grapple with the rights of LGBTQ+ people in the military, and in society more broadly, Boots lands at a particularly potent moment. Its October premiere coincides with LGBTQ+ History Month and comes just weeks before what could be a pivotal presidential election. It’s a show that not only entertains but challenges viewers to reflect on how far we’ve come—and how much further we have to go.
Watch the First March
Boots premieres globally on Netflix on Oct. 9. Whether you’re a fan of queer coming-of-age stories, military dramas, or just damn good television, this one promises to make an impact.
