Off Campus is the new ice hockey romance causing a stir on social media, setting a new Rotten Tomatoes record for the highest-rated romance series of the past year.
Released to Prime Video last week, the show is adapted from the book series by Elle Kennedy and follows Hannah Wells (Ella Bright) – a college student at the fictional Briar University in Boston – who enlists the help of hockey captain Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli) to get the attention of another student she has a crush on.
Somewhat predictably, their fake romance swiftly develops into something real. But it’s the spicy storylines and talented young cast, among other things, that has fans buzzing.
In a similar way to fellow ice hockey drama Heated Rivalry, the show’s impact is already causing ripples across the entertainment world.
Canadian rock band The Beaches, who are the talking point during a pivotal scene between Garrett and Hannah, have experienced an 888 per cent increase in week-on-week streams of their song “Edge of the Earth” since the show’s premiere, after it featured in one episode.
The rest of the group’s discography has also surged, according to Billboard Canada, marking another milestone after their song “Blame Brett” went viral on TikTok in 2024.
“We are incredibly grateful to be included in the world of Off Campus,” The Beaches told the publication. “This song has such a special place in our hearts, and it’s humbling to see how it’s resonated with the rest of the world.”
The show is drawing its fair share of famous fans, too, including Jennifer Lopez, whose iconic 2000 Grammys look is recreated by Off Campus character Allie Hayes (Mika Abdalla) during a scene at a house party.
“Love this shooooww,” Lopez wrote on X, quoting a fan who remarked: “Chemistry so crazy I held my breath the entire scene.”
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Shows such as Heated Rivalry, Off Campus and Rivals also appear to be defying a widespread industry belief that Gen Z audiences demand less sex and romance on-screen.
Heated Rivalry, adapted by director Jacob Tierney from the hit series by Rachel Reid, became a TV phenomenon at the end of 2025 and made stars out of its previously unknown cast, including leads Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie.
“That’s how they know each other. They learn about each other through sex,” Tierney said of characters Ilya Rozanov (Storrie) and Shane Hollander (Williams) on The Independent’s Good Vibrations podcast earlier this year. “That’s how they get to know each other, particularly in the first few years of their relationship. That was the idea, to make sure the sex was the storytelling, that was the character development, because that’s when they’re being honest.
“When they talk, they’re kind of blustering – there’s a lot of obfuscation and a lot of showmanship and nonsense… when they’re having sex they can be vulnerable, they can be kind of sweet… all the stuff you want to be when you’re being real with another person.”
Similarly, fans are also being drawn to the slow-burn of the romances depicted in these shows, with plenty of yearning looks and sweet moments woven into the stories, too. But, equally, the romance storylines aren’t dragged out as much as they have been in other series.
“One of my favourite things about Off Campus is how Garrett and Hannah didn’t waste time to lock in the moment they both realised they liked each other [for real],” one fan wrote. “No long talk, no dragging, no unnecessary yearning and games, no unrequited love, they just immediately went for it.”
Critics have been full of praise, to the point that Off Campus is now one of the highest rated shows of the year so far.
Variety noted that it “isn’t reinventing the wheel” as it encompasses “all of the tropes of an opposites-attract love story” but “it’s still an interesting ride”.
Meanwhile The Wrap said the show “goes further to do two things that feel increasingly important at a time when it can feel like bullies are winning all around us: it calls out toxic masculinity and shows us the importance of consent in refreshing new ways”.
The first series of Off Campus is on Prime Video now.
