"Off Campus" on Prime Video is drawing comparison to "Heated Rivalry. Here's what you should know about the new hockey romance drama.Show Caption
Are you ready for a steamy romance involving hockey, trauma and fluttering eyelashes?No, we're not talking about "Heated Rivalry," HBO Max's adaptation of a queer hockey romance novel about two professional players on a slow-burn journey of lust and love, but "Off Campus," Prime Video's adaptation of a hockey romance novel about a college player and a musician, who works at the concessions stand, on a slow-burn journey of lust and love."Campus" (now streaming) may sound a lot like "Rivalry" on paper, but it's got more in common thematically and tonally with Prime's recent young adult (YA) romances like "The Summer I Turned Pretty" and "Maxton Hall" − more naive youthful antics, more English papers to write and scholarships to win, and a kickier soundtrack.But whether or not you want to call it "the new 'Heated Rivalry,'" it's still sizzling up a storm on streaming this week.Here's everything you need to know about "Off Campus," from the stars and the romance to the book it's based on − and whether it's worth your binge-watching time this weekend.What is 'Off Campus' about?Set at the fictional Briar University (hence the title), "Campus" is a soapy drama about introverted singer-songwriter Hannah (Ella Bright) and hockey team star Garrett (Belmont Cameli). Garrett needs Hannah's help as a tutor and Hannah needs to have a fake boyfriend to make the punky guitar player she's crushing on, Justin (Josh Heuston), jealous. Garrett and Hannah pretend to be in love, until it's not-so-pretend anymore.'Off Campus' cast roomed together first weeks filmingElla Bright discusses "Off Campus" cast bonding and group chats named "Briar U"Who are the stars of 'Off Campus'?The "Campus" cast features a group of bright young stars who help bring the world of Briar University to life.In addition to Bright, Cameli and Heuston, the cast is rounded out by Jalen Thomas Brooks ("The Pitt") as John Tucker, Mika Abdalla as Allie, Stephen Kalyn as Dean, Antonio Cipriano as John Logan and Riley Davis as Sean. Steve Howey ("Reba") plays Garrett's father Phil.The cast even took the college community vibe to real life, living together for part of the production in Vancouver, Canada."We all stayed in a 10-person house for the first two weeks that we were filming," Bright told USA TODAY at the red carpet premiere of "Campus" on April 29. "We played a lot of hide and seek.""It was a really good bonding experience," Bright added. "Our group chat name is Briar U."Josh Heuston discusses 'Heated Rivalry' inspired fan editJosh Heuston jokes about fan edits of him and Belmont Cameli from "Off Campus" to the soundtrack of "Heated Rivalry."Is 'Off Campus' any good? Is it really like 'Heated Rivalry'?The series is a solid entry into Prime Video's catalogue of lightweight, binge-worthy romances. Although it starts off as fluffy and somewhat frivolous, the second half of the series brings a bit more heft (and sadness) to the story."Campus" may be a romance and include hockey, but it's not the same kind of show as "Rivalry." The biggest difference is that "Rivalry" focuses on a closeted gay couple while the leads of "Campus" are heterosexual.Tonally, the two shows are quite different. "Rivalry" is heavy, foreboding and very intimate in scope and style. "Campus" has a bigger, bubblier cast.And while "Campus" features partial nudity, it is not quite as sexually explicit as those "Rivalry" scenes that had the internet buzzing after its December 2025 release.How to watch 'Off Campus'Season 1 of "Off Campus" is now streaming on Prime. The show has already been renewed for a second season.
