The inspiring true story behind Netflix’s gripping new military drama series at 92% RT

Although Netflix has a busy fall schedule with incredible new and returning shows, its latest comedy-drama, Bootscreated by Andy Parkeris not just a typical military series. With all eight episodes now available for streaming, Boots tells the story of Cameron Cope (Miles Heizer), a closeted gay teenager who joins the U.S. Marines alongside his heterosexual best friend, Ray McAffey (Liam Oh), in the 1990s, and must navigate the literal and metaphorical lines of boot camp as he forms unlikely bonds while discovering himself in the process.

Boots is inspired by The Pink Marine: One Boy’s Journey Through Boot Campa 2016 memoir by Greg Cope Whitewhich tells the story of his military experience as a young closeted gay man through a balance of humor and heartbreak, tackling masculinity, identity and the hope of being accepted. At its core, this same coming-of-age story is at the heart of Bootsbut Netflix show makes significant changes to White’s original memoir.

What is “Boots” about?

The series dramatizes White’s heartwarming coming-of-age memoir through a complex combination of authenticity and creative license, but even though White served as a writer on Bootsthe military comedy-drama is not a biopic. “Our showrunner opened it up to explore the whole peloton – many characters from the book, some newly created. Cameron Cope and Ray McAffey are based on me and Dale, but we’re also taking them to places I’ve never been,” White explained in a recent interview.

In The Pink NavyWhite documents his journey to joining the Reagan-era Marine Corps in 1979 alongside his heterosexual best friend, Dale. After leaving the Air Force Academy due to a vision problem, Dale convinces White to come to boot camp after a comical misunderstanding about “summer camp,” as White shared with TIME. What White discovered on his journey of self-discovery was that the military was a place that demanded conformity, which also helped build character. White served in the United States Army for six years while changing her life to fit in with the guys. He eventually rose to the rank of sergeant before being honorably discharged at the age of 26.

White’s story caught the attention of Parker, who had previously dramatized Armistead MaupinIt is Tales of the City for Netflix. He told the New York Times that he personally connected with White’s article because he, too, was locked up and considering enlisting. White’s memoir also reached executive producer and longtime friend Norman Learwho played a major role in the development of the project before his death. Rather than directly telling White’s story, Parker created a lightly fictionalized version. through the character of Cameron, as well as an expanded ensemble within the platoon, each member representing a different asset and element of military life.

Period-changing ‘Boots’ Impacted Netflix Series History

Although many characters were created and adjusted to better fit the story, the biggest change for Boots was the change of periodas co-showrunners Parker and Jennifer Cecile moved the series to the ’90s to reflect the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” era, where a government-instituted policy allowed LGBTQ+ people to serve in the military as long as their sexual orientation remained secret. For Bootsmoving time to a very specific decade captured a key moment in queer history while making it a little more accessible to viewers. White later told Forbes that he was “excited” about the time difference because “there was so much going on in the ’90s.” As White revealed, the military gave him the confidence to come out, but it wasn’t the same experience for closeted service members in the ’90s, as coming out led to immediate release. Adding these increased stakes, Boots shifts the narrative to something much more difficult for the characters. The change in time period helps elevate the story as an extension of White’s memoir.

However BootsThe story may not be entirely accurate, but its depiction of training camp certainly is. To ensure authenticity, the series brought in several advisors with past military experience.and before filming began, the actors had to go through basic training exercises that reflected what their characters would experience, even going so far as to go into full military mode during a brutal summer in New Orleans, as Heizer told the Los Angeles Times. Max Parkerwho plays Sergeant Liam Sullivan, also took part in training with his co-stars, which continued throughout the filming process. With a skilled creative team, stellar cast and authentic atmosphere, Boots became an instant hit – but it wouldn’t have been possible without White’s memoir.

Boots is available for streaming on Netflix.

Release date

2025 – 2025-00-00

Network

Netflix