Get your tissues out for this series.
Off Campus is a young adult-romance story, following our main characters Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli) and Hannah Wells (Ella Bright). Based on the popular hockey romance books by Elle Kennedy, it also follows four men who are navigating different love stories. There is John Logan (Antonio Ciprano), John Tucker (Jalen Thomas Brooks) Dean Di Laurentis (Stephen Kalyn). Also we are introduced to the group’s good friend Beau Maxwell (Khobe Clarke).
I read the books first before the show came out. I was excited to see how the friendships of the boys played out. I was floored with how natural and supportive each guy is. I also have to mention that this will not be the last of seeing all of the gentleman.
Off Campus’s premise is that Hannah, makes a deal with Garrett, to help pull up his grade. In return Garrett would help Hannah get the attention of her crush, Justin Kohl (Josh Heuston). This series doesn’t just cover there. The main themes that are present are trauma, acceptance, self-confidence, and what a relationship needs to look like. I love how sex positive they are in the series as well, because everyone was treated well, and consent is present. Belmont did an excellent job portraying Garrett Graham, and I felt every message that he was trying to say. Ella also did well, but I was hoping for a little bit more from Hannah. Hopefully we get to see these two in the future.
One of the downfalls of the series was Phil Graham (Steve Howey). I didn’t get the menacing man that I had read in the book. I felt that the actor playing Garrett gave more of a push against Phil.
There are many changes from the book to the television series. Including Hannah’s best friend Allie Hayes (Mika Abdalla), not being blonde. There is a major change from the book that bothered me. I understand why it needed to happen, based on our climate in 2026.
Season 1 ends on a cliffhanger, and I can’t wait for it. The next season has already been greenlit. I wish that the series also was a bit longer, but I binged watched the entire season in one night. I also was surprised that we got a sneak peek into Dean’s character so quickly, because his “season” is not up yet.
Overall this is a solid start to a beloved book series. I do understand that a lot of the content from the book also needed to be condensed. I just hope that the writers work out the kinks needed to make season 2 even better.
What did you think of Off Campus Season 1? Sound off in the comments below!
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