For readers who never want the story to end, “Off Campus” brings beloved characters and favorite scenes to life that book fans have been waiting for.
On May 13, Prime Video finally released “Off Campus,” an eight-episode series based on the bestselling multi-book franchise by Elle Kennedy. The show centers on the ice hockey team at fictional Briar University and the women who enter their lives.
“When I first heard about the show, I was super excited cause I love romance shows,” said Natalia Keil, a Carlmont sophomore.
The debut season adapts the first book’s “opposites attract” dynamic, focusing on the sharp music major Hannah Wells, played by Ella Bright, and the star hockey center Garrett Graham, played by Belmont Cameli. The story follows their relationship as they enter into a mutually beneficial arrangement that quickly turns into a heated love story.
“I had never actually read the books, but I love watching new shows, so I was very excited when I heard about ‘Off Campus,'” said Carlmont sophomore Mila Brinegar.
So far, the series has taken the streaming world by storm. Today, “Off Campus” remains number one in the world on Prime Video, according to FlixPatrol. The journey from a BookTok sensation to a TV success was fueled by a dedicated fandom and the showrunner’s pacing, Louisa Levy.
“I think book-to-show adaptations are a really cool idea to showcase iconic scenes and characters,” Mila Brinegar said.
Following the cast announcement months back, fans have been quick to notice familiar faces, especially through certain characters.
Mika Abdalla was cast as Allie Hayes in the hit show, but before this, she was best known for her roles in “Project Mc2” and “Snack Shack.”
“I remember watching Project Mc2 and absolutely loving Mika’s character, so it’s really cool to see her in another huge project,” Tsivikas said.
Her character gained quick praise for an iconic rendition of Jennifer Lopez’s Versace jungle dress during a costume party in episode two.
During a high-energy party scene, the show introduces another power couple from the third book: Hayes and Dean Di Laurentis, played by Stephen Kalyn. As they cross paths, the soundtrack drops Lopez’s pop hit “On the Floor.”
“The dance scene was by far the best scene of the whole season,” Brinegar said.
Since the show’s drop, the hit song has reemerged in the top 50 globally on Spotify at number 31 and is expected to rise further.
A crucial final detail for fans of the books is how the upcoming seasons will unfold. Each book shifts focus to a completely different hockey player’s love story.
Book two, ‘The Mistake,’ is set to be the next season of the series, focusing on hockey player John Logan and Grace Ives, but fans of the show are hoping to see a different order of seasons emerge.
“I think especially after watching the season, fans like myself would love season two to focus on Dean and Allie as we have seen their chemistry unfold,” Tsivikas said.
With a second season already confirmed and a loyal fandom eager for more, the puck has only just dropped for the ‘Off Campus’ phenomenon.
