Romance TV adaptations are commonplace these days in a world of popular shows like Bridgerton and Heated Rivalry, but what works on the page might not necessarily work on screen. What makes a reader’s heart race when poring over a book’s pages might also lead them to cringe when those same lines are coming out of an actor’s mouth. Thankfully, when it comes to Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus book series, showrunner Louisa Levy has hit the nail on the head in blending the story of Kennedy’s books into Prime Video’s new adaptation.
Already renewed for Season 2, Off Campus delivers something for everyone. Lovers of Kennedy’s books will be satisfied that the series has hewed closely to The Deal, while fans coming in blind will find it easy to fall in love with Hannah (Ella Bright) and Garrett (Belmont Cameli) as they pretend to date each other and the tension builds between them. Coming in at eight episodes, the series takes the exciting world of Briar U — the fictional university that all of these characters attend — and builds a new foundation for an adaptation that’s the perfect blend of sizzling romance and soapy drama.
*Off Campus *tells the story of Garrett Graham, a star hockey player and captain of the university team, and Hannah Wells, a clever music student who becomes wrapped up in his world. Garrett, along with his teammates — especially his three other friends — is immensely popular. Not only is he hot and a great athlete, but he’s a hockey nepo baby. His father, Phil Graham (Steve Howey), is a legendary player everyone knows, and Garrett not only has to contend with his legacy but also with their strained and estranged relationship.
After failing a test in his philosophy class, Garrett corners Hannah for help, as she is the only person in the class who earned an A. Hannah is initially apprehensive; she doesn’t like hockey or hockey players, and her interests lie squarely in music. When Garrett realizes that Hannah has a crush on a fellow music student, Justin (Josh Heuston), he makes her an offer: Pretend to date him to make Justin jealous, and, in exchange, Hannah will tutor him in philosophy. Fair deal, right?
As you might expect, fake dating soon turns into real feelings as Garrett and Hannah grow closer to each other. It shouldn’t be a surprise, judging from the trailers and promotional material, that Off Campus is a fairly light show. However, that doesn’t mean it lacks the depth that the series needs when tackling some of the more serious issues brought up in Kennedy’s books. Although there was some speculation before the premiere that the Prime Video series might eschew some of the book plots regarding trauma and abuse, Off Campus deftly navigates these topics without feeling exploitative or erasing them completely.
At the core of what makes Off Campus work is the fact that this cast has insanely good chemistry with each other. Bright and Cameli, in particular, might convince you of love at first sight. Though Garrett is far from a brooding Brontë lead, there’s a certain seriousness and gravitas that Cameli employs with the character that gives him far more depth than his other teammates (at least as of Season 1). Bright’s Hannah is full of life and glows when she’s on-screen. Her scenes with Cameli are appropriately packed with chemistry, and they are fantastic in both the more steamy, physical moments and the emotional, introspective ones.
What solidifies Off Campus is the fact that the foundational relationship between Garrett and Hannah is one of the most interesting on the show. Oftentimes in shows like this, supporting characters might end up outshining the protagonists, but in this case,** the leads are captivating, and their characters’ romance feels genuine**. The gentle push and pull between Garrett and Hannah is at the core of what makes the pairing work; even though they come from vastly different worlds, their attraction feels authentic.
What really sets the stage for future seasons is the dynamic between Garrett and his friends. Garrett lives with three of his teammates: John Logan (Antonio Cipriano), Dean Di Lauretis (Stephen Kalyn), and John Tucker (Jalen Thomas Brooks). In Kennedy’s books, each of these characters has their own story and love interests that are developed in later novels, and it’s clear that the series is setting these up already as of Season 1. Chronologically, Logan’s story is next in the series; however, keen-eyed viewers will be able to see the breadcrumbs that hint at future books, including ones that branch beyond the Off Campus series.
The cherry on top is that the dynamic between these guys feels natural. At one point, all four of them are working out in the backyard in a montage that feels reminiscent of Top Gun’s volleyball scene on the beach. The camaraderie is there, and because we’re in the world of romance novels-turned-TV-shows, they’re all surprisingly in touch with their feelings and wholesome for a group of seemingly womanizing men. On the flip side, Hannah’s best friend, Allie Hayes (Mika Abdalla), is also a standout character. Book readers will already love Allie, but in the show, she easily wins over the audience as she stands by Hannah’s side, confidently supports her, and flourishes at Briar U as she expands beyond the limits of her own social circle.
Tropes are at the core of many of Kennedy’s books. Some might say that in a condescending or judgmental way, but the reason why Kennedy’s books are so beloved is that they give readers exactly what they want. From fake dating to opposites attract, the translation of her tropes to the screen is seamless, and Prime Video’s series knows right where to lean in. There are a few changes from the text here and there — Logan now has a non-binary sibling named Jules (Julia Sarah Stone), rather than brothers — but Off Campus is a largely faithful adaptation.
Off Campus does operate much like a fantasy. It’s largely unrealistic — there’s one scene where the star hockey players go to a drunk Shakespeare performance and party with all of the drama kids — but that doesn’t take away from the show’s impact. In fact, this kind of wish fulfillment and light-hearted fare feels perfect to binge at a time when the world feels like it’s constantly falling apart. Detractors might call the show cheesy or a guilty pleasure, but for lovers of romance, there’s nothing guilty about it, and by the end of the finale, you’ll be clamoring to return to Briar U as soon as possible.
Off Campus premieres May 13 on Prime Video.
](/tag/tv-show/off-campus/) Off Campus takes the best parts of Elle Kennedy’s books and deftly adapts them into a series that’s bursting with chemistry and charm.
Off Campus follows the unexpected romance between a witty music major who dislikes hockey and the charismatic playboy center at Briar University.