The popular TV show “Heated Rivalry” faces tough competition from another hockey-themed series called “Off Campus,” which also hails from Canada. Adapted from the best-selling novels by Toronto author Elle Kennedy, “Off Campus” revolves around the budding romance between music student Hannah Wells (played by Ella Bright) and hockey star Garrett Graham (portrayed by Belmont Cameli). The show, currently dominating Amazon Prime Video in Canada, showcases Canadian talent both on and off the screen, with Canadian settings and music featured prominently.
Elle Kennedy, the mastermind behind the “Off Campus” book series, is a Canadian herself and plays a dual role as the author and a producer for the TV adaptation. Raised in Toronto, Kennedy harbored a passion for writing from a young age, eventually turning it into a successful career with nearly 50 contemporary novels under her belt.
Filmed predominantly in Vancouver, “Off Campus” transforms the city into the fictional Briar University in Boston, with iconic locations such as the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre and the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre standing in for key settings in the show. Real-life spots like UBC’s Sigma Phi Delta fraternity and The Heatley pub add an authentic touch to the series.
The Toronto band The Beaches received a significant boost in popularity after their song “Edge of the Earth” was featured in an episode of “Off Campus,” leading to an 888% surge in streams across various platforms. The band’s presence in the show, including a reference to their Coachella performance, has further cemented their connection with the series’ fans.
The cast of “Off Campus” boasts several Canadian talents, including Stephen Kalyn from Markham, who portrays Dean Di Laurentis, and Vancouver-born Dylan Kingwell as Joe Rogers. Other Canadian actors like Khobe Clarke, Julia Sarah Stone, Karis Cameron, Chelah Horsdal, Jennifer Spence, and Chad Willett also play pivotal roles in the series.
Behind the scenes, Fredericton native Leanna Billings serves as an executive producer, having discovered the novels on BookTok and spearheaded the development of the pilot. Montreal’s Ian Deitchman and director Dawn Wilkinson, known for their work on popular shows like “Suits” and “All-American,” respectively, contribute to the show’s production and creative process.