A New Chapter for Off Campus on Prime Video
The success of previous adaptations such as The Summer I Turned Pretty, My Fault, and Heated Rivalry has shown that the world is ready for more stories brought to life through television. Streaming platforms are increasingly turning to popular book series to create fresh, exciting content that resonates with fans. One of the latest additions to this trend is Off Campus, a new and sensual series available on Prime Video. Based on Elle Kennedy’s New York Times bestselling series, this show follows the journey of Hannah (played by Ella Bright), a college student who enters into a fake relationship with the school’s star hockey player, Garrett (Belmont Cameli), in an attempt to make her crush, Justin (Josh Heuston), jealous.
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that while the plan works initially, the chemistry between Hannah and Garrett starts to spark, forcing Hannah to reevaluate her feelings. The first season of Off Campus appears to follow the events of the first book in the series, The Deal, but there are several notable changes that have caught the attention of both fans and critics alike.
Changes from the Books: Justin’s New Identity
One of the most significant alterations involves the character of Justin. In the original book, he is portrayed as a popular soccer player with striking features. However, in the television adaptation, he takes on a completely different role — that of the brooding frontman of a band. This change was not only welcomed by the cast but also made sense from a narrative perspective.
Josh Heuston, who plays Justin, explained that this shift added depth to the character and created a clearer distinction between him and Garrett. “I would’ve played him as a football player, but I think it added another layer to the difference between Garrett and Justin,” he shared. “Hannah is in love with Justin initially on face value because of his musical ability, and she’s had a bad experience with athletes before.”
He also emphasized the importance of making sure Justin didn’t fall into the typical ‘bad boy’ stereotype. “I was protective of Justin falling into the bad boy archetype on campus,” he said. “He’s a dick in a lot of ways, but I wanted him to feel like a real person with all the reasons why someone would want to date him.”
In the first episode, viewers see Justin performing a rock cover of Ariana Grande’s “Into You” with his band. While the performance sounds impressive, Josh admitted that this role required him to learn new skills. “I can’t take credit for picking the song,” he laughed. “But it’s me singing everything and playing guitar. I learned how to do all of that for this show.”
Allie’s Journey and New Story Arcs
Another point of interest for fans is the character of Allie (Mika Abdalla). In the trailer, a brief moment shows Dean (Stephen Kalyn), another hockey player, making eye contact with Allie, which hints at a potential new storyline. In the books, Allie and Dean’s relationship is explored in the third installment of the series. Fans are now wondering if their story will be fast-tracked in the upcoming seasons.
Mika Abdalla, who plays Allie, described her character as undergoing a personal journey. “Allie is kind of going through her own internal journey,” she said. “Hannah is dealing with her situation with Garrett, and Allie is the supportive friend while also dealing with her own demons. She’s on a journey of self-discovery and questioning what she wants from life.”
Fan Reactions and Excitement
For fans of the Off Campus series, the adaptation has been met with a mix of excitement and anticipation. Laura McGuane, a devoted romance reader, expressed her enthusiasm about the show. “Off Campus has such a cult following,” she said. “There is a large community of people who are on the edge of their seats to experience these characters on screen, and I couldn’t be more excited.”
However, she also admitted to feeling nervous about how the characters might be portrayed. “I have strong opinions about my favorite characters, and seeing them depicted on screen can sometimes be disappointing compared to the image I’ve built up in my head. But I always watch the book-to-screen adaptation because I like to compare them to my own imaginings.”
Despite these concerns, Laura believes that any beloved series being adapted into a TV show is a positive development. “I’m the type of reader who is never satisfied with the epilogue. I always want more, more, more of these characters because I genuinely fall in love with them and don’t want to let them go. Having a book-to-screen adaptation means I get to experience their journey again in a different way.”
Final Thoughts
With its blend of drama, romance, and humor, Off Campus promises to bring a fresh perspective to the beloved book series. As fans continue to speculate about future plot developments and character arcs, the show is set to captivate audiences on Prime Video starting May 13.
You can watch Off Campus on Prime Video from May 13.
