Lately, it feels impossible to scroll through social media without seeing Hannah belting out Cherry Pie while Garrett stares at her like she’s the only person in the room, or Allie dancing to Jennifer Lopez‘s On the Floor while Dean completely forgets how to act normal.
Whether you discovered the popular series through BookTok, TikTok edits, Instagram Reels, or Prime Video, one thing is clear: Off Campus has become the romance obsession of the moment.
Based on Elle Kennedy’s bestselling novels, the series delivers the perfect mix of chemistry, humor, hockey and heart.
If you’re as invested in the lives of the students at the fictional Briar University as the rest of us, here are 12 fun facts about the series that make it even more addictive.
12 Things You Need to Know About ‘Off Campus’
Fast facts about ‘Off Campus’
• Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli have a nearly 10-year age gap.
• Off Campus has an IMDb rating of 8/10.
• The television series is rated 18+ due to explicit sexual content.
• Ella Bright, aka, Hannah, did all of her own singing and instrument playing for the show.
1. The series is based on a bestselling book phenomenon
Off Campus is adapted from the wildly popular book series of the same name by bestselling author Elle Kennedy. The first season is based on The Deal, which follows the evolving relationship between Garrett Graham, Briar University’s hockey captain, and Hannah Wells, a talented music major.
The Off-Campus series consists of four books in total: The Deal, The Mistake, The Score, and The Goal. Each novel follows a different Briar University hockey player and his romance, while remaining connected through the same friend group.
Long before the show premiered, the books had already become a sensation on BookTok and among romance readers worldwide. The popularity of the novels ultimately led Amazon MGM Studios to order a television adaptation, with The Flight Attendant writer and producer Louisa Levy attached as showrunner.
2. Allie’s iconic dance scene was noticed by J.Lo
If there is one scene that truly broke the internet, it’s Allie’s Halloween party performance dressed as Jennifer Lopez.
Mika Abdalla’s dance sequence quickly became one of the most shared moments from Season 1, generating millions of views across social media. The moment even caught the attention of Jennifer Lopez herself. Speaking to Variety, Lopez called Off Campus “so cute” and even tweeted that she loved the show, while the pair also got together to make fun of the iconic moment.
Abdalla has since become a fan favorite and one of the breakout stars of the series.
3. It became one of Prime Video’s biggest romance hits ever
The show’s success has been remarkable. According to Amazon, Off Campus attracted 36 million viewers worldwide within its first 12 days of release. It became Prime Video‘s third most-viewed debut season ever, behind only The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Fallout.
Even more impressively, it became Prime Video’s most-watched debut season among women aged 18–34.
4. Belmont Cameli had to hockey train for his role as Garrett
Played by Belmont Cameli, Garrett Graham appears to have the ideal life. He’s the captain of Briar University’s hockey team, campus royalty, and the son of hockey legend Phil Graham. But beneath the confident exterior lies a character dealing with immense pressure, family expectations, and personal struggles, which is one reason fans connect with him so deeply.
Bringing Garrett to life required extensive hockey training, with Cameli spending months preparing to portray Briar University’s star athlete convincingly.
Before stepping into the role, Cameli was known for playing Jamie Spano, the son of Elizabeth Berkley’s character Jessie Spano, in the Saved by the Bell reboot. Off Campus has since become his breakout romance role, with many fans crediting him for perfectly capturing Garrett’s charm, vulnerability, and emotional depth.
5. The show’s creator wasn’t originally a hockey-romance fan
Before becoming the creative force behind Off Campus, showrunner Louisa Levy wasn’t particularly familiar with the hockey-romance genre. What drew her to Elle Kennedy’s novels wasn’t the hockey itself, but the emotional journeys, friendships, humor, and character dynamics at the heart of the story.
That focus on relationships and personal growth has helped shape the adaptation into more than just a sports romance, making it appealing, even to viewers who know nothing about hockey.
6. Prime Video renewed the show before Season 1 even premiered
Talk about confidence! Prime Video renewed Off Campus for a second season before the first season had even debuted. That’s a rare move for a new romance series and speaks volumes about the popularity of the books and Amazon’s faith in the adaptation.
7. Every season is expected to follow a different couple
Unlike traditional romance dramas, Off Campus follows a format similar to a romance anthology. With multiple books in the series, the adaptation was designed to explore the love stories of different members of Briar University’s hockey team, allowing new couples to take center stage each season while keeping the wider friend group connected. A bit like how Bridgerton plays out.
Each novel focuses on a different Briar University hockey player and his romance, meaning future seasons can introduce new love stories while keeping familiar faces in the mix.
8. Season 2 will expand Briar University’s love stories, with Dean and Allie taking center stage
While Hannah and Garrett launched the franchise, Season 2 will shift the spotlight to fan-favorite couple Dean Di Laurentis and Allie Hayes, played by Stephen Kalyn and Mika Abdalla.
Their romance is based on The Score, the third book in the series, and fans have been eagerly waiting to see their story take center stage. Fans will also meet Grace Ivers, played by India Fowler, who becomes the love interest of John Logan (Antonio Cipriano) in a storyline adapted from The Mistake.
Drawing from both The Score and The Mistake, the new season will continue expanding the world of Briar University while bringing two fan-favorite romances to life.
9. Hannah and Garrett aren’t going anywhere
Worried that your favorite couple is being replaced? Don’t be. Series creator Louisa Levy has confirmed that Hannah and Garrett will remain an integral part of the ensemble cast, even as the story expands to focus on other relationships across campus.
10. It’s much deeper than a typical college romance
At first glance, Off Campus may seem like a light-hearted fake-dating romance.
But both the books and the series tackle surprisingly complex themes, including trauma, consent, healing, family expectations, self-worth, and emotional vulnerability. Many viewers have praised the show for portraying healthy relationships and meaningful communication alongside the romance.
Amazon has described the story as one that explores love, heartbreak, self-discovery, friendship, and the challenges of transitioning into adulthood, elements that help set Off Campus apart from a typical college romance.
11. The author helped bring the story to life
Unlike many book adaptations where authors take a back seat, Elle Kennedy serves as a producer on the series. Her involvement has helped ensure that the characters, relationships, and overall spirit of the books remain faithful to what readers originally fell in love with.
12. There are Easter eggs everywhere for book fans
If you’ve read the novels, Season 1 contains plenty of subtle hints about future romances.
From references to the books (see below) to early moments involving Logan and Grace, eagle-eyed readers have spotted numerous clues that foreshadow upcoming storylines. For longtime readers and fans, it’s like a treasure hunt hidden within the show.
The secret behind Off Campus‘s success isn’t just the swoon-worthy romances, attractive cast, or viral social media moments. It’s the way the series balances heartfelt relationships with emotional depth, creating characters viewers genuinely care about.
Whether you’re Team Hannah and Garrett, counting down the days until Dean and Allie take center stage, or simply here for the hockey boys and the drama, one thing is certain: Off Campus has officially become one of the biggest romance sensations of the year.
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