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Prime Video's Off Campus becomes a worldwide sensation
Amazon Prime Video's latest adaptation, Off Campus, has swiftly climbed to the top of the platform's global rankings, captivating audiences with its blend of sports drama and romance. The series, based on Canadian author Elle Kennedy's bestselling books, has resonated particularly for its portrayal of female desire and emotionally nuanced male characters.
The appeal of ice hockey in romance
Content creator Meagan Carioti, 27, describes ice hockey as a "hot, passionate sport" that effortlessly translates into romantic storytelling due to its intensity. Sophie Bonser, a 30-year-old social media manager and ice hockey enthusiast, attributes the sport's growing appeal outside North America to its novelty-many viewers did not grow up playing it. The low-scoring nature of games, she notes, creates high-stakes tension that works well on screen.
Breaking stereotypes in sports dramas
Off Campus follows the romantic and personal lives of college ice hockey players at a fictional Boston university. The show's male leads-Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli), Dean Di Laurentis (Stephen Kalyn), and John Logan (Antonio Cipriano)-defy traditional "jock" stereotypes, offering emotionally intelligent portrayals. The series also challenges the derogatory term "puck bunny," emphasizing respect for women over exploitation.
"Every game is high stakes, which translates well in TV."
Sophie Bonser, ice hockey enthusiast
Female-centric storytelling and representation
The first season adapts two of Kennedy's books, The Deal (2015) and The Score (2016). Fans have praised the show for its focus on women's sexual satisfaction and comfort, a rarity in mainstream media. Meagan Carioti highlights the significance of seeing "women's pleasure and comfort talked about, prioritised, and valued" on screen.
Content creator Oliver Zane, 25, whose reaction videos have garnered hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok, admits he's "not the primary audience" but appreciates the show's female-driven perspective. "Female writers do such a good job with character development, which makes them more realistic," he says. Zane also notes the show's exploration of heavy themes, including domestic violence, addiction, and financial insecurity.
Addressing serious themes with sensitivity
One of the standout storylines involves Hannah Wells (Ella Bright), Garrett's girlfriend, who grapples with the aftermath of sexual assault. The show's handling of her trauma and her partner's supportive response has been widely praised. "The show is very female-centred," Carioti says. "Women are talked about and cared for in a respectful way, and the emphasis is on choice and consent."
"We're getting more and more stories these days written about male characters being vulnerable and emotionally aware, and I like seeing characters take accountability for their actions."
Oliver Zane, content creator
Challenging genre stereotypes
Despite its success, the hockey romance genre is often dismissed as "silly, trivial, and girly," a label Carioti hopes Off Campus will help change. She argues that the show tackles important themes like female empowerment, domestic abuse, and sexual assault, far beyond the "hockey smut" stereotype. Zane echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the show's relevance in an era where young men are increasingly exposed to hypermasculine narratives.
"When I hear stuff like 'oh it's hockey smut' or whatever, I'm quick to tell people there's so much more to the show," he says.
