Turning a much-loved book series into television is always difficult. Readers have their own idea of what characters should look and sound like, and they notice when the story changes. As someone who had read Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus books before watching the series, I was curious to see whether Prime Video could bring Briar University to life without losing what made the novels enjoyable.
The short answer is yes, although the series is not completely faithful to the books.
Off Campus premiered on Prime Video on 13 May 2026, with all eight episodes released at once. The series follows the hockey players of fictional Briar University and the women in their lives. It is based off Kennedy’s five-book romance series, which combines sport, friendship, university life and relationships. Season 1 mainly adapts the first book in the series The Deal. It follows Hannah Wells, played by Ella Bright, and Garrett Graham, played by Belmont Cameli.
The main storyline remains familiar, Garrett needs Hannah’s help with his studies, and their arrangement gradually develops into friendship and romance. Bright and Cameli are one of the strongest parts of the adaptation. As a reader, their casting also feels close to how the characters are described and pictured whilst reading. Cameli fits the confident college hockey star image of Garrett, while Bright captures Hannah’s more understated but independent personality. Their chemistry feels natural, especially early in the season, while the characters are still trying to work each other out.
One of the biggest changes comes towards the end of their story. In the book, Garrett’s father pressures Hannah into ending their relationship, while the series has Garrett break things off himself after becoming frightened by his own behaviour and the possibility of becoming his father. The original shows how much control Garrett’s father still has over his life, so changing it initially feels unnecessary. However, the TV version gives Garrett more responsibility for the breakup and places greater focus on his fear of repeating his father’s behaviour. The change is noticeable for readers but still works within the series.
The show also gives its supporting characters much more attention. Hannah’s best friend Allie Hayes, played by Mika Abdalla, and Garrett’s teammate Dean Di Laurentis, played by Stephen Kalyn, begin developing a connection of their own. Allie initially sees Dean as the confident, flirtatious hockey player she should probably avoid, but their growing attraction gives viewers an early look at the relationship that eventually becomes the focus of The Score.
Kennedy’s second novel of the series, The Mistake, follows John Logan and Grace Ivers, but the series instead moves ahead to The Score, the third book, which follows Allie and Dean. Their relationship begins in season 1, with season 2 already confirmed to make Abdalla and Kalyn becoming the central couple.
For book readers, skipping Logan and Grace initially feels like a strange decision. After watching season 1, though, it makes more sense. Dean and Allie have an established storyline and chemistry, so putting them aside for an entire season could interrupt that momentum. Logan’s story has not disappeared either, with India Fowler confirmed to join Season 2 as Grace Ivers leaving room for their relationship to develop alongside the wider group.
The series may feel crowded for some, particularly when Hannah and Garrett’s story has to share the attention with the other characters and storylines. However, this also helps build Briar University beyond one couple and gives viewers more reason to become invested in the wider group.
While Off Campus is not a word-for-word adaptation, it does not need to be. The series makes changes to the original story, but it also highlights many of the things readers loved about the books in the first place. The friendships, romance and humour remain a big part of the series, and the casting brings the characters to screen in a way that feels familiar. Some storylines may take different paths, but the heart of the books is still there. For a book reader, that makes Off Campus a successful adaptation and leaves plenty to look forward to in season 2.
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Tabitha Murdoch 
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