Before Boots was even renewed for season 2, Netflix hinted at which stars will — and won’t — return.
The scripted series, based on Greg Cope White‘s memoir, premiered in October and follows Cameron (Miles Heizer) as he joins the U.S. Marine Corps alongside his best friend Ray (Liam Oh) during the 1990s, the era of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy regarding LGBTQ+ service members. Cameron is forced to hide his sexuality while trying to make it through boot camp alongside Slovacek (Kieron Moore), Hicks (Angus O’Brien), Nash (Dominic Goodman), John (Blake Burt), Cody (Brandon Tyler Moore) and Ochoa (Johnathan Nieves).
Before the show premiered, Sony Pictures Television extended the options for several cast members. The cast options were set to expire at the end of August, which is why studios tend to try to secure the show’s stars for future seasons while hoping to renew the show.
Not every key cast member from Boots got their options extended. According to Deadline, creative reasons based on where the show’s showrunners plan to take the story in a potential second season inspired the potential shakeups.
Netflix has yet to renew the show, which has found immense success by doubling its weekly audience and rising to No. 2 on Netflix’s TV charts. Keep scrolling to see which stars are expected to return in a possible future season and which won’t — including a fan favorite:
Miles Heizer
Heizer’s role as Cameron was integral to the show so it is no surprise that Heizer’s option was extended.
Liam Oh
There is also still so much story to be told with Ray, which led to Sony extending Oh’s option as well before the show even premiered on Netflix.
Kieron Moore
Moore’s scene-stealing role as Slovacek led to an option extension. During an exclusive interview with Luxury Handbag Shopping, Moore didn’t rule out the possibility of another season, either.
“I think we only scratch the surface for Slovacek ahead of season 2,” he told Us. “If we get to go again, it’d be a really wonderful story to explore him a little bit more. I’m just hoping that audience members are curious about him.”
He continued: “All of the characters are remarkable but I know that for me and people around me, everyone knows the Slovacek that doesn’t really get the time to become something. I think he’s a very representative of a lot of young men out there that just need some guidance. They’ve got a skill and abundance, passion and abundance.
Max Parker
Despite being the show’s breakout star, Parker, who played the internet’s favorite character Sergeant Sullivan, wasn’t on Deadline‘s list of cast members whose options were extended. This doesn’t mean Sullivan wouldn’t return, though,especially after the overwhelming love for the character.
“That symbolic moment where he passes the radio to Cameron, it’s I think the first time you see Sullivan give in to what’s about to happen. He’s put someone in a coma, he’s literally struggling with alcoholism, and he’s being chased down by the law for other things and for being gay,” Parker told Decider in October. “I don’t know where it’s going to go but there’s so many places. I know as much as you.”
Dominic Goodman
Nash’s story will keep playing out on the show if Netflix renews the series.
Angus O’Brien
O’Brien, whose option was extended as well, praised the show’s messaging, telling Us in October, “The experience of shooting the show was a reminder to me that no matter how different we might think we are from someone, ultimately we want the same things. We want to be happy, we want to be respected and we want to live a life that’s fulfilled.”
He continued. “What’s so beautiful about the show is that you have all these guys from very different walks of life who wouldn’t necessarily think to depend on each other. Because of the situation that they’re in, they’re forced to rely on each other and they realize through that how powerful it is to depend on someone who has lived a different life than you — and how many lessons there are to learn from that.”
Blake Burt
Sony extended Burt’s option after the actor went above and beyond for his role as John Bowman. Burt spoke exclusively to Us about his hopes for John after losing 124 pounds off screen to properly depict the character’s emotional and physical journey.
“With the drive that he has now in this story and where John’s relationship stands with his brother, I obviously think he’s going to continue to better himself — physically, mentally and spiritually,” Burt told Us in October. “As for his relationship with his brother, you hope that you can mend issues when this stuff happens. Deep down, John really hopes that he can mend things with his brother and that Cody comes back strong and that we can be together. But at the same time, John is just not going to take it anymore. He’s not going to take crap anymore.”
Rico Paris
Paris’ option has been extended so expect more Santos in a potential season 2.
Vera Farmiga
According to Deadline, Farmiga had a one-year deal as Cameron’s mother and had no option to extend. The creative team is still contemplating season 2 possibilities for her character.
Cedrick Cooper
Sergeant McKinnon appeared in season 1 of Netflix’s Boots but Cooper’s option hasn’t been extended yet for more episodes.
Ana Ayora
The same for Ayora, who portrayed Captain Fajardo in season 1 and became an ally for Sullivan throughout the show.
Nicholas Logan
It is unclear whether Sergeant Howitt would be in a second season after Logan’s option wasn’t extended.
