Netflix has sparked fury among its subscribers by abruptly cancelling a popular new drama series after a single season, a decision that followed strong condemnation from US Pentagon officials.
Outcry Over Sudden Axe for Top 10 Show
The streaming giant has decided not to renew 'Boots', a gay military drama that premiered in October 2025 and quickly became a sleeper hit. Despite consistently ranking in Netflix's own Top 10 most-watched shows, the platform has unceremoniously pulled the plug. The news has left fans and the show's creators bitterly disappointed, with many labelling the move 'cowardly'.
The series, created by Andy Parker and produced by television legend Norman Lear, stars Miles Heizer as Cameron Cope. It is adapted from former US Marine Greg Cope White's memoir, 'The Pink Marine'. The story is set in the 1990s, a period when serving openly as a gay person in the US military was still illegal.
Pentagon Branded Show 'Woke Garbage'
The cancellation arrives shortly after the show faced fierce criticism from high-ranking US military figures. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson publicly attacked the series, calling it 'woke garbage' in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
Wilson stated that military officials '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'. He linked the current military ethos to the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Pete Hegseth, claiming they were restoring a 'warrior ethos' with 'elite, uniform, and sex neutral' standards.
Creative Community Reacts with Anger and Sadness
The reaction from the show's supporters was swift and emotional. Writer Paul Rudnick led the charge on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), posting: 'Shame on Netflix for cancelling the terrific series BOOTS... after a single season. The show was critically hailed and consistently appeared in the streamer's Top Ten shows. A cowardly decision.'
Author Greg Cope White responded with a heartfelt message of thanks, writing: 'Thank you Paul. My sadness is soaked in gratitude for the love you & the world gave it.' Subscribers also voiced their frustration online, with one commenting: 'Another show cut before it could breathe, Boots deserved time not silence.' Another offered cynical advice to fellow viewers: 'With Netflix yall need to wait for a season 2 of a show to be announced to start watching something.'
This move places 'Boots' on a growing list of Netflix originals that have faced premature cancellation in recent years, joining titles like 'Shadow and Bone', '1899', 'Kaos', and 'The Waterfront'. The decision raises further questions about Netflix's renewal strategies and its responsiveness to both audience metrics and external political pressure.
