Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos breaks silence on why gay military series Boots was axed
Speaking at the Annual DGA Awards, Sarandos was asked by Variety whether political pressure influenced the decision not to renew the series
By Callum Wells
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has addressed the cancellation of Boots after one season.
Speaking on the red carpet at the Annual DGA Awards, Sarandos was asked by Variety whether political pressure influenced the decision not to renew the series.
“There was some talk about Boots being canceled,” Malkin said. “People were surprised it didn’t get a second season, and people assumed it was because the Department of War went after it. Did that have anything to do with that decision?”
“The beauty of why people get upset when you cancel a show is because they love them” – Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos on the cancellation of Boots
“Absolutely not,” Sarandos replied. “These are all business decisions based on audience relative to the cost of the show. Do the people who push play watch it till the end? Do they give it a couple of thumbs up? Does it keep growing? All of those things. That decision is made every day.”
Netflix confirmed the drama would not continue shortly after its debut, ending plans for a follow-up season. The eight-episode series, executive produced by Norman Lear, was the late television pioneer’s final project before his death in 2023.
Based on Greg Cope White’s memoir The Pink Marine, Boots followed a closeted teenager navigating Marine Corps training during the 1990s, when LGBTQ+ service members faced strict restrictions under military policy.
Asked about the emotional response from audiences following the cancellation, Sarandos added: “The beauty of why people get upset when you cancel a show is because they love them. That’s the best part about our business, it’s that people really love the product. And it’s heartbreaking to cancel any show, ever, particularly a show that Norman Lear brought to me. It was his last show.”
The ensemble included Miles Heizer, Max Parker, Sachin Bhatt, Angus O’Brien and Jack Cameron Kay
Malkin responded, “I loved that show.”
“I’m a fan,” Sarandos agreed.
Debate around the show’s future intensified after Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson described the series as “woke garbage” in a statement criticising its themes, prompting questions about whether politics had influenced Netflix’s decision-making.
Despite the controversy, Boots had drawn attention for both its on-screen and behind-the-scenes LGBTQ+ talent. The ensemble included Miles Heizer, Max Parker, Sachin Bhatt, Angus O’Brien and Jack Cameron Kay, while creatives such as showrunner Andy Parker, writer Dominic Cólon and director Peter Hoar were among those involved in shaping the series.
The show premiered in October 2025. Industry reports indicated that discussions about renewal had taken place internally before the final decision was made, with viewership data and production costs cited as key factors.
Get more from Attitude
