Prime Video’s “Off Campus” has been compared to “Heat Rivalry.” Here’s what you need to know about the new hockey romance drama.
‘Off Campus’ reveals the show’s favorite couple
Will the team be Garrett, Justin, or Hannah? The “Off Campus” cast will choose who they think Hannah should end up dating!
Are you ready for some hot romance with hockey, trauma, and eyelashes fluttering?
No, we’re not talking about “Heat Rivalry,” HBO Max’s film adaptation of a bizarre hockey romance novel about two professional players on a slow-burning journey of lust and love, but “Off Campus,” Prime Video’s film adaptation of a hockey romance novel about a college player and a musician who works at a concession stand. A slow-burning journey of desire and love.
“Campus” (currently streaming) may sound a lot like “Rivals” on paper, but it has more in common thematically and tonally with Prime’s recent young adult (YA) romances like “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and “Maxton Hall,” with more earthy youthful antics, more English papers to write and scholarships to win, and a kickier soundtrack.
But whether you want to call it a new ‘hot rivalry’ or not, there’s been a storm brewing in streaming this week.
Here’s everything you need to know about “Off Campus,” from its stars and romance to the book it’s based on and whether it’s worth binge-watching this weekend.
What is “off-campus”?
Set at the fictional Brier College (hence the title), Campus is a melodrama about introverted singer-songwriter Hannah (Ella Bright) and hockey team star Garrett (Belmont Cameli). Garrett needs Hannah’s help as a tutor, and Hannah has to create a fake boyfriend to make her crush, punkish guitarist Justin (Josh Houston), jealous. Garrett and Hannah pretend to be in love until they stop pretending to be in love.
The cast roomed together for the first few weeks of filming ‘Off Campus’
Ella Bright talks ‘Off Campus’ cast bond and group chat named ‘Briar U’
Who are the stars of “Off Campus”?
The cast of “Campus” features a group of bright young stars who help bring the world of Brier College to life.
In addition to Bright, Cameli and Houston, Jalen Thomas Brooks (The Pit) as John Tucker, Mika Abdallah as Allie, Steven Cullin as Dean, Antonio Cipriano as John Logan, and Riley Davis as Sean round out the cast. Steve Howie (“Reba”) plays Garrett’s father, Phil.
The cast lived together in Vancouver, Canada, for part of the production, bringing the college community feel to real life.
“For the first two weeks of filming, we all stayed in a house with 10 people. We played a lot of hide-and-seek,” Bright told USA TODAY at the April 29 red carpet premiere of “Campus.”
“It was a really good bonding experience,” Bright added. “Our group chat name is Briar U.”
Josh Houston talks about fan edits inspired by ‘Heated Rivalry’
Josh Houston jokes about fan edits of him and Belmont Cameli from “Off Campus” to the “Heated Rivalry” soundtrack.
Is “off campus” okay? Does it really feel like a “heated rivalry”?
This series is a solid entry into Prime Video’s catalog of light, binge-worthy romances. The story is fluffy and frivolous at first, but the second half brings a bit more weight (and sadness) to the story.
“Campus” may be a romance and include hockey, but it’s not the same kind of show as “Rivals.” The biggest difference is that “Rivals” focuses on a closeted same-sex couple, while “Campus” has a straight protagonist.
Tonally, the two shows are very different. “Rivalry” is heavy, foreboding, and intensely intimate in scope and style. “Campus” has a larger, more hilarious cast.
“Campus” features partial nudity, but it doesn’t. very It’s as sexually explicit as the “Rivals” scene that made the internet buzz after its release in December 2025.
How to watch “Off Campus”
“Off Campus” Season 1 is now available on Prime. The show has already been renewed for a second season.
