A New Chapter for Josh Heuston
Josh Heuston, an Australian actor known for his role in the Prime Video series Off Campus, recently opened up about his journey to landing the part of Justin Kohl. The show, based on a popular book series, has quickly become one of the platform’s most-watched shows globally.
Heuston admits that he initially lied during his audition process. “I lied. Everything you’ve seen is true,” he says with a laugh. His honesty about this little white lie reveals a side of him that many might not expect from a rising star.
Despite his growing fame, Heuston remains grounded and approachable. During our meeting, he greeted everyone in the room individually, making sure to learn their names and introduce himself. This small act of kindness stands out in an industry where such gestures are often overlooked.
When asked about his decision to lie during the audition, Heuston explained that he had no musical background at the time. “I essentially faked it ‘til I made it,” he said, recalling the panic that set in after securing the role. “I had to learn how to sing.”
The transition from a football player in the books to a brooding musician in the series was a significant change. Heuston shared that this shift was made to give the main love interest, Hannah Wells, something she couldn’t get from the third point of the central love triangle, which is a star hockey player.
Fans of the Off Campus book series were initially surprised by this change, but the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Heuston admitted to feeling nervous about the reaction, but he found solace in the support from the fanbase. “There’s nerves, but also at some point, you’ve kind of just got to put on the blinders and give it a crack,” he said.
Heuston is no stranger to working on projects based on existing IP. He starred in the 2022 remake of Heartbreak High and is currently preparing for the second season of Dune Prophecy, a series based on a prequel to the Dune novels.
Rumors have been circulating about Heuston potentially starring in the upcoming adaptation of the hit fantasy series Fourth Wing. He has been spotted reading the novels, added a dragon emoji to his social bios, followed the series’ author Rebecca Yarros on socials, and even made comments that could hint at a potential casting announcement.
During his press tour for Off Campus, Heuston has been repeatedly asked about his potential role in Fourth Wing. However, he remains tight-lipped, likely due to an iron-clad NDA or simply because he doesn’t know the answer.
When asked about the rumors, Heuston seemed somewhat surprised that the question wasn’t about whether he would appear in the series, but rather how it feels to have an entire fandom divided over which character he embodies while collectively gunning for him to appear in the show.
“I think, obviously, it’s a polarising thing, [but] it’s nice for people to want to see me in something else,” he said. “But I like anything fantasy, I love that world. I grew up watching Lord of the Rings and playing World of Warcraft, and all that sort of stuff.”
“And dragons make stories cool, especially if you can ride them. That’s what they say on the internet,” he added with a smirk.
For now, fans can enjoy Heuston’s performance in Off Campus. The show is a passionate college drama centered around a love triangle with a girl at one point, a sports star at another, and a musician at the third. “And in the middle, there’s sex,” he adds. “And love!”
