A new contender has emerged in the realm of popular hockey-themed series, challenging the dominance of “Heated Rivalry.” “Off Campus,” based on Toronto writer Elle Kennedy’s acclaimed novels, tells the story of Hannah Wells, a reserved music student, and Garrett Graham, a standout college hockey player. Their tutoring arrangement blossoms into a romance amid campus rivalries and sports drama.
The show, currently holding the top spot on Amazon Prime Video in Canada, showcases a Canadian touch both on-screen and off-screen, featuring Canadian talent, filming locations, and native music. Elle Kennedy, the creator of the “Off Campus” book series, is a proud Canadian who also takes on a producer role for the TV adaptation. Raised in the suburbs of Toronto, Kennedy pursued her passion for writing from a young age and has now authored close to 50 contemporary novels.
Despite being set in Boston, “Off Campus” was predominantly shot in Vancouver, with the University of British Columbia standing in for Briar University. Various locations on the UBC campus, such as the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre and the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, serve as key settings for the show. Noteworthy real-life sites like the Sigma Phi Delta fraternity and The Heatley pub have been transformed into fictional spots within the series.
The Canadian band, The Beaches, experienced a surge in popularity after their song “Edge of the Earth” was featured in an episode of “Off Campus.” The track’s streaming numbers skyrocketed by 888%, with the band receiving direct mentions within the show. The Beaches embraced this exposure, sharing their reactions on social media and even incorporating an “Off Campus” clip into one of their live performances.
“Off Campus” also boasts a strong Canadian cast, with actors like Stephen Kalyn, Dylan Kingwell, and Julia Sarah Stone taking on prominent roles in the series. Additionally, Canadian talents like Leanna Billings, Ian Deitchman, and Dawn Wilkinson contribute behind the scenes as executive producers and writers, further solidifying the Canadian connection to the show.
In summary, “Off Campus” is not only a hit series but also a testament to the talent and creativity that Canada brings to the world of television entertainment.