EXCLUSIVE: Netflix has opted not to order a second season of military coming-of-age comedy-drama Boots, the last show from legendary producer Norman Lear. The news comes more than two months after the eight-episode first season was released on the platform.
From what I hear, this was not a straightforward cancellation. The well reviewed Boots (90% on Rotten Tomatoes from both critics and viewers) delivered respectable ratings and made noise in popular culture. The show had internal support, and Netflix held conversations with Boots studio Sony Pictures Television while analyzing long-tail viewership data.
To help the series’ chances, Sony TV in August extended the options on several key cast members, including Miles Heizer, Liam Oh, Kieron Moore, Dominic Goodman, Angus O’Brien, Blake Burt and Rico Paris. Because of Netflix’s strict exclusivity terms, it is virtually impossible for an outside studio to shop a series after it has been canceled by the streamer.
Created by Andy Parker and inspired by Greg Cope White’s memoir The Pink Marine, Boots follows directionless, closeted Cameron Cope (Heizer) and his straight best friend Ray McAffey (Oh) as they join a diverse group of recruits. Set in the tough world of the U.S. Marine Corps in 1990, when being gay in the military was illegal, the ensemble navigates the literal and metaphorical landmines of boot camp, forging unlikely bonds and discovering their true selves in an environment designed to push them to their limits.
The cancellation brings to an end Boots‘ long journey.
Greenlighted in May 2023 when Lear, a decorated World War II veteran, was still alive, Boots started production that summer but had to shut down one week into filming due to the Hollywood strikes. Production picked up in March 2024 and wrapped in August 2024. (Lear died in December 2023 at the age of 101.)
Then it took a year for Boots to get scheduled. Over that period, which spanned the Presidential election and the new administration’s first months in office, a lot changed with respect to the government’s views on the series’ subject matter.
That was put on display after Boots‘ launch.
The dramedy averaged a strong 9.4 million views during its first full week, doubling its total from its debut week, after the Pentagon brought attention to the series, calling it “woke garbage.”
Boots, which spent four weeks in Netflix’s Top 10, peaking at No. 2, also stars Max Parker, Vera Farmiga, Cedrick Cooper, Ana Ayora and Nicholas Logan.
Jennifer Cecil served as showrunner/executive producer. Andy Parker was creator/co-showrunner/executive producer. Also executive producing were Lear and Brent Miller through Act III Productions, Rachel Davidson, and Scott Hornbacher & Peter Hoar (episode 101).
Last week, Netflix renewed Tyler Perry’s Beauty In Black for a third and final season. It followed the Season 3 renewal of Nobody Wants This last month.
