About “Boots” in a few words:

“Boots” is a 2025 Netflix dramedy about a closeted teen, Cameron Cope, who impulsively enlists in the U.S. Marine Corps in the early ’90s—a time when being gay in the military was still taboo. In boot camp, he’s pushed to his physical and emotional limits, surrounded by hardened recruits and commanding officers. The show blends humor, heartache, painful truths, and surprising friendships as Cameron discovers who he really is.

Meet the characters from Boots

Cameron Cope

Cameron is that eager, slightly chaotic brainiac who always has three tabs open and a half-finished blueprint in his backpack. He’s endlessly optimistic — like, dangerously so — and will try to fix anything with duct tape and a stupid grin, but also can recite arcane regulations by heart when you least expect it. Has a habit of insisting he hates small talk and then telling you his dog’s entire life story five minutes later (never owned a dog? maybe he did once, not sure). Kind of clumsy, surprisingly coordinated sometimes, and somehow both the team’s moral compass and its most enthusiastic troublemaker.

Capt. Fajardo

Captain Fajardo is the steely-eyed leader with a soft spot for old sea shanties and immaculate paperwork (yes, really — he alphabetizes mission names in his head). He gives orders like thunder and then apologizes for being blunt — which is either the nicest contradiction or the most confusing thing ever, depending on the day. Stoic in combat, unexpectedly goofy at the mess table, and somehow keeps everyone in line without ever losing his calm — except when someone touches his espresso machine. You get the sense he’s lived a hundred lives and only tells you two of them, on purpose.

John Bowman

John Bowman reads like the show’s grandfather figure: worn jacket, good stories, terrible puns, absolute backbone of the crew. He’s practical to a fault — fixes engines with chewing gum and patience — and is terrible at remembering names but great at remembering birthdays and the exact way you like your coffee. Occasionally found scribbling in a tiny notebook (poetry? shopping lists? secret plans?), which is either adorable or suspicious, depending on his mood. He’s the kind of guy who’ll scold you and then bring you soup five minutes later, which always wins people over.

Staff Sgt. McKinnon

McKinnon is all sharp edges and bigger laugh; think no-nonsense discipline wrapped in an unexpectedly warm sweater. She’ll scream at you for being late but then swap you her last granola bar because she “saw you looked like you could use it” — very confusing but effective leadership. A meticulous planner, slightly obsessed with maps and time schedules, but randomly forgets where she put her keys, socks, or occasionally her hat (it’s always dramatic). Tough as nails, loyal as hell, and will roast you in the nicest possible way until you’re better for it.

Nash

Nash is the wildcard, the charming trouble magnet who shows up with a crooked smile and half a plan — which somehow usually works out. He’s the kind of person who claims he “flew once” and then tells an elaborate story that’s 60% truth, 40% theatrics, and 100% entertaining; also terrible about returning library books. Loves fast cars and slower conversations, contradictory, impulsive, and fiercely protective when it counts; also hoards weird little trinkets like ticket stubs and broken watches. Somehow infuriating and beloved in equal measure — you roll your eyes, then laugh, then follow him into the obviously poor idea he suggested.