Miles Heizer (13 Reasons Why, Parenthood) heads to the front lines in BOOTS, which is now streaming on Netflix. 

Inspired by former US Marine Greg Cope White’s memoir The Pink Marine, the eight-episode series hails from creator and co-showrunner Andy Parker (Tales of the City, Imposters), showrunner Jennifer Cecil (One Tree Hill, Hostages), and executive producer Norman Lear, his last TV project. Watch the trailer above, which features a rendition of George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90” sung by the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus (which includes military veterans).

What is BOOTS about?

BOOTS is a one-hour comedic drama that delivers an irreverent, offbeat take on the coming-of-age story. Set in the tough, unpredictable world of the 1990s US Marine Corps — when being gay in the military was still illegal — the series follows directionless, closeted Cameron Cope (Heizer) and his best friend Ray McAffey (Liam Oh), the son of a decorated Marine, as they join a diverse group of recruits. Together, this ensemble navigates the literal and metaphorical land mines of boot camp, forging unlikely bonds and discovering their true selves in an environment designed to push them to their limits. “For a lot of queer people, we grow up trying to blend in and not stand out, because we have this thing about us that we’re not sure how people are going to respond to. It ends up that you’re holding all these emotions,” says Heizer. “The show does a great job of showing all those pent-up feelings coming out in this environment where Cameron’s being pushed to his extreme limits. A lot of queer people relate to that, myself included.”

With sharp wit and plenty of heart, BOOTS is about friendship, resilience, and finding your place in the world — even when that world seems determined to keep you in line or leave you behind. 

Who’s in the BOOTS cast?

Oh’s Ray is the ultimate ride-or-die best friend for Cameron, as well as the son of a strict Marine father. He carries the pressure of having to be the best at all times, but when boot camp shakes his faith in himself, he’s forced to reevaluate his life’s trajectory.  “You’re only as successful as the people around you, and you really have to lean on each other,” says Oh. “For some people, that’s chosen family. You are not always so lucky with the family you’re given, but there are people around you that will support you if you let them.”

Before enlisting, Heizer’s Cameron lives in a chaotic home with his narcissistic mother Barbara, played by Vera Farmiga (When They See Us, Halston). Barbara is a chameleon — and someone who’s always on the run due to the consequences of her actions — but she becomes unmoored when Cameron ships out. 

Max Parker plays Sergeant Sullivan, the consummate elite Recon Marine. He has been decorated for valor on numerous top-secret missions, but struggles to keep his own secret hidden. Haunted by his past, Sullivan sees himself in Cameron and tries to prepare him for the same personal war he’ll face beyond boot camp. 

BOOTS’s cast also includes: 

• Cedrick Cooper (Staff Sergeant McKinnon)
• Ana Ayora (Captain Fajardo)
• Angus O’Brien (Hicks)
• Dominic Goodman (Nash)
• Kieron Moore (Slovacek)
• Nicholas Logan (Sergeant Howitt)
• Rico Paris (Santos)
• Blake Burt (John Bowman)
• Logan Gould (Mo Mason)
• Zach Roerig ( Sergeant Knox)
• Johnathan Nieves (Eduardo Ochoa)
• Brandon Tyler Moore (Cody Bowman)
• Ivan Hoey Jr. (Benjy Cope)
• Anthony Marble (Harlan McAffey)
• Joy Osmanski (Ji-Yeong Setsuko)
• Brett Dalton (Sergeant Pitowski)
• Jack Kay (Joshua Jones)
• Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson (Alice)

The castmates emboldened each other during long days on set. “This show is so rare in that every scene takes place in a group setting. Everyone was working all day, every single day,” says Heizer. “So we were all together so much and formed extremely close bonds in a way that I think is actually really rare for a TV show.”

Oh adds, “After a 15-hour day, you go home and you all smell, and you’re exhausted, and you don’t know if you really want to show up the next day. But you know that there are 15 other guys who are in the main cast, not to mention the 50 background actors doing the same thing — you kind of have to show up for them, or else you will be failing everyone else around you.”

PHOTO BY ALFONSO “POMPO” BRESCIANI

Is BOOTS based on a book?

Yes, the series is inspired by former US Marine Greg Cope White’s memoir The Pink Marine.

Who’s the creative team behind BOOTS?

Norman Lear executive produced the series with Brent Miller (through ACT III Productions), Rachel Davidson, Scott Hornbacher, and Peter Hoar, who also directs. Cecil and Parker also executive produce.

When does BOOTS come out on Netflix?

BOOTS is reporting for duty. Watch the series now, only on Netflix.

Want Netflix News? Hear It First on TudumStay in the know about cast announcements, first look photos, sneak peeks and other breaking news when you get your Netflix news from the source.