Queer shows on Netflix (and queer shows in general) may find large audiences, but unfortunately, not long enough to last more than just one season. Several factors go into the decision to cancel a show, but more often than not, those shows happen to be queer shows like Boots, Olympo, Q-Force, Glamorous, and so many more.
Boots had the potential to tell an engaging, heartfelt story, being that it was a coming-of-age narrative following a young gay man in the Marine Corps. It was based on the novel The Pink Marine, written by Greg Cope White, and, given that the author himself played a role in the show, there was a lot the series could unpack. However, Netflix announced its cancellation earlier this month to the disappointment of the show’s cast.
If there’s Boots-sized hole in your heart, there are a number of movies and television shows that exist in a similar vein: media that centers a person discovering more about themselves in a military setting. Here are a few shows and movies with a comparable premise to Boots:
'Burning Blue' (Peacock)
The movie Burning Blue may not be on most people's radar, but it definitely should be. It is a queer drama centered around an investigation into accidents that took place on a U.S. Naval base during the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" era of the military, which uncovers a gay love affair. The 2013 movie features The Gilded Age's Morgan Spector.
'The Inspection' (Rent/Buy on Amazon)
Jeremy Pope is an acting force to be reckoned with, and this movie is no different. Pope plays Ellis French, a young queer man who has little choice but to join the military to prove his worth to his estranged mother (played fabulously by Gabrielle Union) and to himself. Though he endures the grueling work of boot camp, while dealing with homophobia from a fellow recruit and the drill instructor who badly hazes him, he at the same time finds camaraderie and strength in this new group of people. He also develops feelings for one of the officers played by Looking's Raúl Castillo.
'We Are Who We Are' (HBO Miniseries)
This quiet show, which airs on HBO Max, was created by Luca Guadagnino and released in 2020. It follows a group of young American teenagers living on a military base in Italy and the awkwardness of discovering one’s identity in a completely foreign country. It has Guadagnino’s signature style and is helmed by a talented young actor named Jack Dylan Grazer, who plays the show’s main protagonist, and he’s joined by Chloë Sevigny (who plays one of his two mothers), Kid Cudi, and Martin Scorsese’s daughter Francesca.
'Firebird' (Rent/Buy on Amazon)
Firebird didn’t receive widespread critical acclaim, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth watching. The movie takes place at a Soviet Air Force base during the Cold War. It follows a young soldier, Sergey (played by Tom Prior), who falls head over heels for an enigmatic fighter pilot, Roman (played by Oleg Zagorodnii). The two begin a torrid love affair that could put their lives in danger if they’re ever caught, so they sneak around while trying not to get caught.
Young Royals (Netflix)
If you want to watch a show with a bit more than just one season, we would recommend watching Young Royals. The show centers on a fictional Swedish prince, Wilhelm (Edvin Ryding), and his budding romance with fellow boarding school student Simon Eriksson (Omar Rudberg). While it’s not centered around the military per se, it still deals with a secret romance during the coming-of-age period in a young adult’s life.
'Blood & Water' (Netflix)
Netflix's Blood & Water aligns with the streamer's other dramas centered on teens. The show follows a young woman named Puleng (Ama Qamata) who transfers to a high-class school where she believes that one of the students may be her sister, who was kidnapped at birth. The fast-paced drama features several queer characters and is filled to the brim with drama.
'Fellow Travelers' (Showtime)
Are you surprised this show made it onto the list? No? Well, good because it's just that good. If you aren't familiar with Fellow Travelers, the steamy period drama starring Jonathan Bailey and Matt Bomer, note that it's not for the faint of heart. In this show, the actors play two political figures who engage in a stimulating physical relationship during the Lavender Scare and McCarthyism era of the 1950s.
