Netflix has canceled Boots, its “diverse” military coming-of-age comedy-drama, after just one season.
The decision ends the final series from legendary producer Norman Lear, despite being “well reviewed” and having reported “respectable” viewership.
According to Deadline, Netflix opted not to order a second season more than two months after the show’s eight-episode first season debuted on the platform.
Why Netflix Pulled the Plug on Boots
Deadline reports that the cancellation was not described as a simple ratings failure.
Sony extended cast options in August to help keep the show alive, including Miles Heizer, Liam Oh, Kieron Moore, Dominic Goodman, Angus O’Brien, Blake Burt, and Rico Paris.
However, now we see that Netflix ultimately passed on a second season, and due to the streamer’s exclusivity rules, the series cannot realistically be shopped elsewhere — meaning it’s canceled.
A Politically Charged Premise
Created by Andy Parker and inspired by Greg Cope White’s memoir The Pink Marine, Boots followed closeted gay recruit Cameron Cope (Heizer) and his straight best friend Ray McAffey (Oh) as they joined Marine boot camp in 1990, when being gay in the military was illegal.
The series leaned heavily into modern identity themes while using the U.S. Marine Corps as its backdrop, a choice that became controversial following its release.
Pentagon Backlash and “Woke Garbage” Label
After the show’s launch, the Pentagon publicly criticized Boots, dismissing it as “woke garbage.”
While the attention boosted viewership as the show made the Netflix charts, it might not have lasted for long.
Despite the spike, Netflix ultimately chose not to move forward.
Interestingly, the cancellation of boots also comes with Netflix under scrutiny in its attempt to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery.
