‘Boots’ EP Brent Miller Shares Season 2 Story Plans and Hopes Norman Lear’s Final Show Finds a New Home After Netflix Cancelation

Netflix's Boots was officially canceled this week, crushing every hope and dream that the cast, crew, and fans of the series had been holding onto. In fact, producer Brent Miller revealed that the overall Boots season 2 storyline had already been outlined and planned for.

via: Variety

The recent cancellation of Netflix‘s “Boots” after just one season struck a blow for representation, as a ground breaking coming-of-age queer drama series set in the Marine Corps. But it was also notable for another reason: “Boots” was the final show to be executive produced by TV legend Norman Lear, who had helped develop the project before his death in December 2023.

Brent Miller, who served as Lear’s producing partner and ran his Act III Prods. shingle, shared his disappointment with Variety that “Boots” won’t continue: “But I do feel so grateful that we were able to make the show – and I couldn’t be more proud of the show we made.”

As for where “Boots” might have gone in Season 2, Miller added, “Our creator, Andy Parker, had always intended to take the boys to war in a Season 2.”

Created by Parker, “Boots” was based on Greg Cope White’s book “The Pink Marine.” Miles Heizer starred as Cameron Cope, a disillusioned, closeted ‘90s teen who signs up for the Marine Corps with his best friend Ray McAffey, played by Liam Oh. Despite the unwelcoming environment (LGBTQ people were banned from the military at that time), the pair grow into themselves and form lifelong friendships with their fellow recruits as they navigate the social and physical hazards of boot camp.

For the Lear family, the news of the “Boots” cancellation has, of course, been overshadowed by the tragic deaths of Rob and Michelle Reiner.

“To be perfectly honest, it would be extremely difficult for Norman to focus on anything but the Reiners and their family at this time,” Miller said. “However, had he heard the news of our cancellation prior to the Reiner tragedy, I’m rather confident he would’ve reacted with disappointment, but simultaneously sit in gratitude for having had the opportunity to make the show we made. He would’ve been proud to know that the last show to bare his name was so meaningful to so many in the 196 countries Netflix serves.

“And although he was aware that cancellations happen all of the time for various business decisions, he would empower myself, our fellow EPs and Sony to do everything humanly possible for our actors, writers and producers to try and find ourselves a new home,” added Miller, who now runs A House On Brame Productions. “And of course, he would have encouraged the fans to make their voices be heard in the loudest ways possible to ensure a Season 2 – wherever, whenever.”

The timing of Lear’s final production ending right when the Reiner news came to light was an unfortunate coincidence. Lear was good friends, of course, with Rob Reiner’s father Carl Reiner, and later cast Rob Reiner in his breakout role on “All in the Family” as Mike “Meathead” Stivic. Lear also helped Reiner in his role as a filmmaker, serving as a producer on Reiner’s “The Princess Bride,” something Lear was very proud of.

As the Lear family wrote in a statement this week, “The Lear Family is devastated by the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner. Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world. Norman would have wanted to remind us that Rob and Michele spent every breath trying to make this country a better place, and they pursued that through their art, their activism, their philanthropy, and their love for family and friends. Lyn Lear had remained very close with them and said, ‘The world is unmistakably darker tonight, and we are left bereft.’”