Netflix’s “Boots” to Compete as a Comedy at the Golden Globes Amid Pentagon Criticism

Netflix’s new series “Boots” has officially entered the Golden Globe Awards race — but not in the category you might expect. Despite tackling serious themes like military culture and LGBTQ+ identity during the 1990s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” era, the streaming giant is submitting the show in the Comedy category for this year’s Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and Emmys.

“Boots” premiered globally on October 9, 2025, and has quickly drawn attention for its unique blend of humor and emotional honesty. The eight-episode Netflix original series is based on Greg Cope White’s memoir, “The Pink Marine,” which recounts his real-life experience as a gay teenager who joined the U.S. Marines at a time when being openly gay in the military was prohibited.

The show follows Cameron Cope, played by Miles Heizer, a closeted teenager who enlists in the Marine Corps alongside his best friend Ray McAffey (played by Liam Oh). What starts as an act of self-discovery becomes a story about friendship, identity, and survival within one of the world’s most rigid institutions. The ensemble cast includes Vera Farmiga as Cameron’s conflicted mother Barbara, along with Max Parker, Cedrick Cooper, Ana Ayora, Angus O’Brien, Dominic Goodman, and Kieron Moore.

Behind the camera, Andy Parker (Tales of the City, Pantheon) and Jennifer Cecil (The Umbrella Academy, One Tree Hill) serve as creators and co-showrunners. The series also features legendary television producer Norman Lear and Brent Miller of ACT III Productions as executive producers.

Parker has described the show’s tone as “Full Metal Jacket told by David Sedaris,” a mix of sharp humor and emotional vulnerability. “I wasn’t interested in doing something bleak and dark,” he told Gold Derby. “It was important that we distinguish this from everything else we had seen before.”

Greg Cope White, the memoir’s author, was actively involved as a writer and co–executive producer, bringing firsthand authenticity to the project. Heizer emphasized that having White onboard “makes it very real to have a person who went through this. It could be cathartic for someone to see that portrayed on film.”

Filmed primarily in New Orleans, Louisiana, production began in summer 2023 but was paused during the SAG-AFTRA strike, later resuming in March 2024 and wrapping by August 2024.

While the show has received strong reviews for its cast chemistry and tonal balance, it hasn’t escaped controversy. The U.S. Department of Defense recently criticized “Boots” for what it called a “woke agenda.” In a statement reported by the New York Post, Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson said, “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.”

Despite the backlash, “Boots” continues to gain attention for breaking new ground in how queer stories are told within traditionally masculine settings. Heizer and co-stars discussed the show’s focus on “chosen family” and the power of humor during hardship in an interview with Them.us.

With Netflix submitting it in the Comedy race, “Boots” could shake up the awards season — standing out not just for its laughs, but for its courage in addressing themes many shows still avoid.

You can stream “Boots” now on Netflix.