Those of us who love romance novels and want to see them adapted for TV or film are likely familiar with disappointments here and there. It’s often better to temper expectations than to eagerly believe that we’ll get everything we’ve been wanting. Yet, sometimes, when you least expect it, that’s when you’re hit with something thoroughly engrossing. Your next comfort watch. That’s the case with Off Campus.
From start to finish, Off Campus Season 1 is a near-perfect adaptation, with my only gripe being the present-day timeline as opposed to when the book was released, a decade ago. But that’s a minor critique for a series that’s otherwise a brightly stunning college romance. I pressed play on the first episode, thinking I would pace myself, and immediately breezed through the entire thing because it’s impossible not to keep going. It’s impossible to leave these characters even for a second, despite how much your eyes are protesting in their exhausted state. And if that’s not the sign of an electric romance, then I don’t know what is.
The thing about an anthology series is that the found family element is a large part of the appeal in the books. Sure, many of them are typically written as standalones, but when you read and engage with them intimately, you aren’t just building an attachment with the core romantic relationship, but the friendships, too. And anyone who knows Elle Kennedy’s series knows that the world she’s created continues to expand.
When a show like Bridgerton first brought an anthology series to our screens and drew in more casual viewers to the romance genre, it surprised people that characters from previous seasons weren’t around much after their story ended. Yet, thankfully, in an interview with iHeartRadioCA, showrunner Louisa Levy confirmed that this wouldn’t be the case with Off Campus. She specifically states: “Hannah and Garrett aren’t going anywhere. They’re not just riding off into the sunset. We’re keeping them in our show. They’re such an important part of our community and the world of the show.” And thank heavens for that, because the friendships here are just as significant as the seasonal love story, and it wouldn’t make sense for these characters just to disappear off-screen.
Off Campus Season 1 Shines with Exceptional Pacing and Balanced Arcs
While the debut season follows the events of The Deal, the way it carefully sets up other character stories is no small feat. We’re in for a ride with the next four years, and if the series hopefully locks in a renewal for each of the books, the foundation Levy is building the series on is already solid. No matter who your favorite characters are, you’re in for something wholly gripping with each season because part of the show’s appeal is how they orbit around each other. It’s in the detail that each episode is packed with so much, you won’t even realize the minutes have passed by.
Structurally, it feels like every classic college rom-com we grew up on, and there are few things lovelier than that. The nostalgia is deep, and the emotional beats ground the narrative gorgeously, but more than anything, because the characters are so remarkably fleshed out, every frame carries something entirely enthralling.
In the coming weeks, there will likely be comparisons made to other romances because that’s how the public tends to function, but make no mistake: Off Campus is its own thing. A loud, cheeky, wildly glorious love story with riveting and achingly vulnerable dynamics at the forefront. It’s a love letter to friendships, music, hockey, and, more importantly, the unexpected romances that are built on unwavering trust.
Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli Are the Perfect Hannah and Garrett
There’s not a single person in Off Campus who’s miscast, so that detail alone is vital to take into consideration here when future seasons start rolling around. The actors not only understand their respective characters, but it’s obvious that they understand the kind of love stories they’ll have, and why they’re uniquely special within the genre.
It’s astounding how the trailers and teasers barely scratch the surface of how well cast the season’s leads are. There’s no way to prepare for how captivating Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli are. The layers they imbue Hannah and Garrett with make it abundantly clear that they not only understand the characters but also care deeply about them. The spark that’s set aflame in their first meeting quickly and quietly fuses to life with every interaction they have, making their arc one of the most compelling depictions of the fake dating trope we’ve had in a while. Pair this detail with the tutor and jock trope, and there’s something extra special there for those of us who grew up loving One Tree Hill.
While the college campus setting adds a layer of nostalgia that’s easy to itch for these days, it’s the execution of Hannah and Garrett’s relationship that’s an ever-present ember and a glimmer of hope to ensure the show is as addictive as the books. The vulnerability in their interactions, coupled with the flirty banter, makes their love story so devastatingly memorable that you’ll be thinking about them constantly. (I can’t stop.)
Naturally, as with all book-to-screen adaptations, there are changes from the source material, yet every decision thoughtfully adds layers to the characters and allows a sense of healing to come to the surface through their love for each other. As a result, everything about Off Campus Season 1 is comforting—nostalgic, warm, soft, wild, and deeply endearing. There’s something so remarkably tender about how Hannah and Garrett get together and where it leads them, delivering a concrete reminder of why romance is so special as a genre.
Content Warning: The trailer doesn’t hint at it, but as book readers know, the season includes narratives pertaining to sexual assault and domestic violence. It isn’t graphic, but if either of these topics is triggering for you, please take care of yourself while watching.
Off Campus Season 1 premieres on May 13, exclusively on Prime Video.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Prime Video