Prime Video’s new series Off Campus, adapted from Elle Kennedy’s novel The Deal, offers a glossy, entertaining hockey romance that proves highly watchable despite its familiar tropes. The eight-episode first season, created by Gina Fattore and Louisa Levy, follows the budding connection between a star college hockey player and a music composition student, blending lighthearted fun with moments of emotional depth.
As hockey romances continue to captivate audiences, Off Campus arrives as an ideal escapist watch. It centres on Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli), the team’s standout centre whose slipping grades jeopardise his athletic scholarship and professional prospects. Enter Hannah Wells (Ella Bright), a talented composer seeking advice on winning over her musician crush, Justin (Josh Heuston). The pair strikes a practical bargain: Hannah tutors Garrett academically, while he coaches her on attracting another man. Predictably, their pretend arrangement soon sparks genuine feelings.
The series fully embraces classic romance conventions, featuring intense eye contact, lively locker-room exchanges, and steamy sequences, without aspiring to highbrow drama. Its strongest assets include the palpable chemistry between Cameli and Bright, along with an outstanding soundtrack. Hannah’s identity as a student composer is woven meaningfully into the narrative. Music drives the emotional tone, drawing from artists such as The Beaches, The Black Keys, AC/DC, and Billy Idol. A standout scene shows Hannah energetically performing Elton John’s “The Bitch Is Back” on piano, her performance inspiring Garrett during a tough game.
ALSO READ : K-Dramas Released in April That Deserve a Spot on Your Watchlist
Beyond the flirtation and campus chaos, Off Campus thoughtfully explores serious issues. Garrett grapples with the legacy of his abusive father, a former hockey player, fearing he might repeat patterns of aggression. Hannah quietly manages the consequences of sexual assault, which influences her creativity and intimacy. While some dramatic moments feel hurried, the show conveys these themes with sincerity and models healthy consent through clear communication and respect for boundaries.
The supporting cast shines, particularly Stephen Kalyn as Dean Di Laurentis and Mika Abdalla as Allie Hayes, whose spark hints at future storylines. Antonio Cipriano stands out as John Logan, Garrett’s loyal and warm-hearted teammate. The characters echo beloved figures from earlier romcoms—Garrett recalls Heath Ledger’s Patrick Verona in 10 Things I Hate About You, while Logan channels Jess Mariano from Gilmore Girls. Showrunner Louisa Levy has acknowledged nods to early 2000s films like Sixteen Candles.
Off Campus succeeds on its own terms, sweeping viewers into its mix of romance, chemistry, and youthful disorder. It is currently streaming on Prime Video.