When you think of a Marine drill instructor, a soft-spoken British actor probably isn’t the first image that comes to mind. But then, Max Parker is no ordinary British actor — he’s the unexpected star of Netflix’s Boots, a darkly comedic drama that takes a hard look at the U.S. Marine Corps during the 1990s. In the series, Parker plays Sgt. Sullivan, a tough-as-nails drill instructor with a secret that could land him in prison: he’s gay. It’s a role that fuses military discipline with the tension of living in a world where being yourself can be a criminal act.
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For Parker, playing this character wasn’t just about pushing through the typical “Hollywood drill instructor” clichés. He had to dig deeper, channeling the personal stakes of a man forced to live a lie in order to survive. “I think it’s quite clever in the show how it goes back and shows a bit more, and then you get to understand Sullivan a bit better,” Parker says in an interview with Out magazine. His portrayal of Sullivan is anything but one-dimensional, as the character’s explosive anger and internal struggle are as much a part of him as his discipline and strength. It’s a complex role that speaks to the emotional toll of living under constant pressure — both on the battlefield and in the heart.
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But behind that gruff exterior, Parker is a soft-hearted Northern lad who loves food, a bit of DIY, and yes, c+ooking. “I’m quite a foodie,” he admits with a grin. This playful side is far removed from the hardcore Marine he portrays, but it’s not hard to see where the two might overlap. Both have layers. “If I know I’m not going to be the best, I’m already like, ‘Next!’” Parker laughs. And that attitude? It’s part of what makes him the perfect person to bring Sullivan to life.
The Wild Card
Parker’s journey to landing the role of Sgt. Sullivan was anything but ordinary. Describing the audition process as a marathon of eight rounds, Parker jokes, “I was clearly the wild card!” His perseverance and adaptability paid off, though. By the time filming began, he’d practically memorized the first few episodes. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. When Parker first read the script, he was hesitant. “I thought, ‘Maybe I’d be too young!’” he recalls, unsure if he was the right fit for a role traditionally played by older, more imposing figures. It was only after he dug into the era and the complexities of the character that he saw the potential. The more research he did, the more he realized, “Oh, this is for me.” And as it turns out, it really was.
In Boots, Parker’s character, Sgt. Sullivan, is a man who commands respect through fear. Yet, as we learn more about him, it becomes clear that his tough exterior is masking a simmering fear of being outed. “He’s under this pressure cooker, running away from basically feeling guilty about maybe implicating his partner,” Parker explains. Sullivan’s character arc is a delicate balance of bravado and vulnerability — and it’s made all the more poignant because of the era in which he’s living.
At the time Boots is set (1990), being gay in the military was illegal. The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy hadn’t even been enacted yet, and the stakes for a closeted service member like Sullivan were life-altering. For Parker, this added a layer of emotional resonance to his performance. “The thing about my story is, the era we’re in, I’m lucky to have everyone around me be comfortable with it. Back then, for Sullivan, he could go to jail, lose his job, his honour. The stakes for him are huge,” he reflects.
A Personal Connection
As much as Parker’s portrayal of Sullivan is rooted in research and imagination, there’s also a personal element that resonates with his own journey as a gay man in the public eye. Parker came out publicly in 2021, and his own experiences helped him understand the nuances of playing a character whose entire identity is something to be hidden.
“I took the essence of what I went through and put it in a totally different situation,” he says of blending his real-life experiences with his portrayal of Sullivan. It’s not about replicating his own struggles, but about channeling those emotions into a story of survival, self-doubt, and ultimately, resilience.
For the audience, Sullivan is an intriguing mix of strength and fragility. The more we learn about him, the more we understand the weight of the choices he’s made — and the price of living in a world where love is illegal and truth is a luxury.
What’s Next?
It’s been a big year for Max Parker, who not only wrapped up a transformative role in Boots, but also tied the knot with his Emmerdale co-star, Kris Mochrie. Fans of Parker are already looking forward to what’s next. When asked about a possible sequel to Boots, Parker’s answer is both mysterious and optimistic. “I think the story leads to… there’s definitely a [plausible] future,” he teases. Based on The Pink Marine, the memoir that inspired the series, there’s plenty of room for more — especially if Sullivan’s story continues to evolve in unexpected ways.
But for now, Parker’s journey as a Marine and as an actor is still ongoing. From Emmerdale to Boots, his career trajectory has taken him from British soap operas to the global spotlight — and the journey is only just beginning. With his unique blend of humor, warmth, and depth, Max Parker is ready to command his own story, both on screen and off.
As for his next role? Whatever it is, we know one thing: it’s going to be just as unforgettable as Sgt. Sullivan.
Source: LA Times, and Attitude
Max is actually really good in this, at least in the two episodes I’ve seen so far, but the show itself, especially since reviews have spoilered the hell out of it and we already know there’s barely any kissing, if you want to even call it that, supposedly, in it, to make this something worth binging. I mean, it all feels interesting but I have way too many other things that are more of a priority than making the effort to watch this, even for tight clothes on Parker, the hotter of the two twins, and the psycho guy who is portrayed by a gay actor.
I mean, I’m happy that there are so many gay actors in this and definitely think people should support that casting, but it’s going to be a chore to make myself make the time to even spend another two hours watching the next two episodes.