Marching Orders: Netflix Halts Queer Military Series
It's a story our community knows all too well: a promising, critically-acclaimed queer series gets the axe far too soon. Netflix has announced that Boots, the drama series about a closeted gay man in the U.S. Marine Corps, will not return for a second season. The cancellation comes as a significant blow, as the show had garnered a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was the final television project from the legendary producer Norman Lear, who passed away in 2023.
Starring Miles Heizer (13 Reasons Why) and Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring), Boots offered a rare glimpse into the harsh realities of military life for queer individuals during the 1990s, a period when being openly gay was illegal and grounds for discharge.
What Was 'Boots' About?
Based on the memoir The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White, the series followed Cameron Cope (Heizer), a young, aimless man who joins the Marines to find direction. He is forced to navigate the brutal environment of boot camp while hiding his sexuality, forming unlikely friendships and discovering his own strength in a system designed to break him down. The series was praised for its unflinching look at the hyper-masculine and homophobic culture of the era's military.
A Cancellation That Stings
What makes this cancellation particularly frustrating for fans is that a renewal seemed likely. According to reports, the options for several key cast members had recently been extended by Sony Pictures Television, a move that typically signals confidence in a show's future. Sources suggest the series had strong internal support at Netflix, but ultimately, the long-term viewership data did not meet the streamer's threshold for a second season.
This decision adds Boots to a growing list of well-regarded LGBTQ+ shows, like Warrior Nun, First Kill, and The OA, that were cut short by Netflix, leaving their stories unfinished and their audiences disappointed.
A Show That Ruffled Feathers
The cultural impact of Boots was significant enough to draw a bizarre and hostile reaction from a fictional Pentagon administration within the show's universe, which was reported on by Entertainment Weekly. A statement from a fictional press secretary slammed the series, highlighting the kind of real-world prejudice the show aimed to explore:
"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."
That a show exploring queer history could still be framed as controversial—even in a fictional context—underscores the importance of its existence. Its cancellation means one less vital story is being told on a major global platform, a loss that will be felt by many in our community.
