Miles Heizer (13 Reasons Why, Parenthood) is heading to the front lines in Boots. Inspired by former US Marine Greg Cope White’s memoir The Pink Marine, the upcoming 8-episode drama series hails from creator, co-showrunner Andy Parker (Tales of the City, Imposters) and showrunner Jennifer Cecil (One Tree Hill, Hostages).

Set in 1990, Boots follows charming underdog Cameron Cope (Heizer), a bullied, gay high school student who impulsively joins the Marine Corps with his straight best friend, Ray (Liam Oh), in hopes that he’ll finally be made into a “real man.” It’s a dangerous move at a time when being gay in the military meant a prison sentence or worse. The two friends plunge into Marine Corps boot camp — amid both literal and metaphorical land mines — joining a platoon of young men on a harrowing journey of transformation.

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 best at all times, but when boot camp shakes his faith in himself, he is forced to reevaluate his life’s trajectory.

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 Sgt. 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’ cast also includes Cedrick Cooper (Staff Sgt. McKinnon), Ana Ayora (Capt. Fajardo), Angus O’Brien (Hicks), Dominic Goodman (Nash), Kieron Moore (Slovacek), Nicholas Logan (Sgt. Howitt), Blake Burt (John Bowman), Logan Gould (Mo Mason), Zach Roerig (Knox), Johnathan Nieves (Ochoa), Brandon Tyler Moore (Cody Bowman), Ivan Hoey Jr. (Benjy), Anthony Marble (Harlan) and Joy Osmanski (Ji-Yeong).

Alongside Parker and Cecil, Norman Lear executive produce the series with Brent Miller (through ACT III Productions), Rachel Davidson, Scott Hornbacher, Peter Hoar (who will direct), Sony Pictures Television and White, who in addition to producing, write the eight episodes.

Tudum will report back with any updates on Boots on the double.

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