Romance novel fans, get ready to swoon! Off Campus has finally hit Prime Video, and the stars are already teasing what's next. Based on Elle Kennedy's beloved book series, Season 1 follows Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli) and Hannah Wells (Ella Bright) as they navigate a fake-dating deal that gets real. But the show also dives deep into the lives of their friends, including Allie Hayes (Mika Abdalla) and Justin Kohl (Josh Heuston). In a recent chat, Abdalla and Heuston opened up about their characters' journeys, the show's changes from the books, and what fans can expect in Season 2.
Allie and Dean's Early Romance: A Surprise for Book Fans
One of the biggest twists in the series is how early Allie's romance with Dean (Stephen Kalyn) begins. In the books, their story unfolds later, but the showrunners decided to jump-start it. Abdalla loved the change. 'Getting to see the ways that they honored her in Season 1 and also changed a few things about who Allie is was really exciting,' she said. The actress also revealed that she and Kalyn had an unusual first meeting—they barely spoke at first. 'Stephen and I, at first, didn't talk to each other at all,' Abdalla admitted, laughing. 'And then, we just all started hanging out, and it was great.' Their chemistry reads were done over Zoom, which added a layer of challenge, especially since Allie and Dean's scenes are so physical. But it clearly worked—their on-screen connection is electric.
Josh Heuston on Justin's Musical Journey
While the other guys are busy on the ice, Justin is all about music. Heuston dove into the role with enthusiasm, learning guitar and vocals for the part. 'I had an amazing music team around me,' he said. 'It was a really enriching and nurturing experience.' He admitted that singing felt 'super vulnerable and naked,' but he wouldn't trade it for anything. 'They can have the ice. I'll have the yodeling,' he joked. As for Justin's romantic future, Heuston hinted that his character is focused on his music for now. 'I think he's definitely just trying to focus on his music,' he said, noting Justin's insecurity when sharing his songs with Hannah. But book fans know that Justin eventually finds love, and Heuston is open to exploring that down the line.
What's Next for the Cast?
Beyond Off Campus, Heuston is also gearing up for Season 2 of Dune: Prophecy, where he plays Constantine Corrino. He teased that the new season is 'a wild ride' and promises bigger stakes. Meanwhile, Abdalla is excited to see where Allie's story goes, especially with the show already working on Season 2. The series has been a hit with viewers, and the cast's chemistry is a big part of its charm. With its mix of romance, humor, and heart, Off Campus is shaping up to be the next big binge-worthy obsession.
For fans of the books, the show offers a fresh take while staying true to the spirit of the source material. The early introduction of Allie and Dean's romance is just one example of how the series expands the world. And with Justin's musical arc, there's plenty of new ground to cover. As the cast continues to grow into their roles, viewers can look forward to more surprises, more drama, and definitely more swoon-worthy moments.
Stay tuned for more updates on Off Campus and other exciting projects from the cast. And if you haven't already, start streaming Season 1 on Prime Video—you won't regret it.
