'Off Campus' has become a sensation, captivating audiences with its blend of romance, emotional depth and relatable characters.
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I finally understand why everyone on social media has been obsessing over “Off Campus”.
Before the series dropped on Amazon Prime Video, I honestly had no idea the books even existed. But after watching the first adaptation, I completely get the hype around book-to-screen romances now.
Somewhere between the fake dating, hockey chaos and emotional moments, the series quietly pulls you in until suddenly it’s 1am and you’re still telling yourself “just one more episode”.
Based on "The Deal" from Elle Kennedy’s five-part “Off Campus” book series, the show follows music student Hannah Wells (Ella Bright) and university hockey star Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli).
Graham's hockey future starts hanging by a thread when his grades begin slipping, leading him to Wells' for tutoring help. In return, he agrees to help her get the attention of her crush.
Of course, things get messy from there. From the first episode, I already found myself rooting for Wells and Graham before their relationship had even properly unfolded.
Their chemistry feels natural without trying too hard, and that slow build-up between them gives the series its butterflies-in-your-stomach kind of charm.
What surprised me most, though, is that “Off Campus” doesn’t only rely on romance to keep people invested. Underneath the flirting, parties and locker-room banter, the show also makes room for conversations around trauma, healing and intimacy.
Wells' struggles following sexual assault are handled with a level of care that adds emotional depth to the story, while Graham's complicated relationship with masculinity and anger, shaped by his abusive father, gives his character more layers than just “popular hockey guy”.
The series also deserves credit for how it handles consent and communication in relationships. It doesn’t feel forced or preachy either. It’s simply woven naturally into the story in a way that feels refreshing for a college romance series.
And then there’s the soundtrack. I didn’t expect the music to stand out as much as it did, but I constantly found myself reaching for my phone to Shazam songs while watching. One track that immediately stuck with me was “Edge of the Earth” by The Beaches.
Even though it’s not the type of music I usually listen to, the soundtrack fits the emotional energy of the show so well that you end up discovering songs without even realising it.
The soundtrack moves between nostalgic rock, indie tracks and emotionally charged songs that somehow make every scene hit harder.
Because Wells is a music student, music doesn’t just sit in the background for filler. It becomes part of how emotions are expressed throughout the series.
Another thing that I genuinely enjoyed was the friendships. The show could have easily fallen into the typical “college students behaving badly” storyline, but instead, the characters feel surprisingly self-aware.
Yes, there’s chaos, bad decisions and emotional messiness, but there’s also loyalty, accountability and genuine care between the friend groups that makes the series feel wholesome at its core.
And honestly, that’s probably why “Off Campus” is trending online right now. It gives viewers escapism without feeling completely empty. It’s romantic, chaotic, comforting and emotional all at once.
The type of series you start casually on a weekday evening and suddenly realise that you’ve watched half the season without moving from your laptop.
After getting through the first season, your first thought will probably be: “Where’s season two?”
The good news is that fans won’t be left wondering whether the story will continue. Prime Video renewed “Off Campus” for a second season before the first season had even premiered, a sign of just how much confidence the streaming platform has in the series.
An official release date has not been announced yet, but production is expected to begin in Canada in June and continue through to September.
Writer Louisa Levy has also revealed that all eight scripts for the upcoming season have already been completed, which means work is well underway behind the scenes.
So while you may have to wait a little longer to return to Briar University, there is at least some comfort in knowing that more hockey drama, friendships, romance and chaos are already on the way.