By Published May 11, 2026, 9:30 AM EDT El is a Junior TV Features Editor for ScreenRant, with previous experience as The Mary Sue's UK and Weekend Editor. She holds a Bachelor's in International Media and Entertainment Management, as well as an MA and Ph.D. in Creative Writing. There is little she loves more than discussing her favorite TV shows with fellow fans. One day, she hopes to publish an original fantasy novel. Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap
Prime Video's highly anticipated adaptation of Elle Kennedy's bestselling book series, , is betting on the Bridgerton romance format. For six years, Bridgerton has taken the world by storm, revitalizing the historical romance genre and repackaging it for a more modern, streaming-oriented audience. Arguably, though, the show would never have reached those heights if Bridgerton had been forced to focus on the same couple for every season.
Rather than following season 1's Simon and Daphne into old age, Bridgerton instead utilizes the romance genre's tried-and-tested "interconnected standalone" series structure. Each new book, and therefore, each new season, concentrates on a fresh couple, allowing the show to explore other story themes, tones, and, perhaps most importantly, romantic tropes. It's a winning formula, one that makes Bridgerton undeniably (re)watchable, whether it's for just one season or to binge-watch the show as a whole.
While there are dozens, if not hundreds, of contemporary romance book series that function the same way — think about novels by authors like Elsie Silver, Alisha Rai, Sarah Adams, B.K. Borison, Kristina Forest, Laurie Gilmore, Bal Khabra, Amy Lea, and more — very few recent romance TV adaptations have followed this kind of format.
Some of streaming's , including The Summer I Turned Pretty, My Life With the Walter Boys, Nobody Wants This, and Maxton Hall, have instead chronicled the romances of one turbulent couple (or a more turbulent love triangle) over multiple seasons. Even Crave's global hockey sensation, Heated Rivalry, will primarily continue to focus on Shane and Ilya's relationship, though Jacob Tierney's show does go to great lengths to include stories from Rachel Reid's other books, too — just not in their own seasons.
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Thankfully, , Off Campus, will cleverly follow in Bridgerton's footsteps. While the first season will focus on aspiring singer-songwriter Hannah (Ella Bright) and hockey captain Garrett Graham's (Belmont Cameli) unexpected relationship, adapting the story from Kennedy's first Off Campus book, The Deal, the show's next installment — Prime Video has already renewed Off Campus for season 2, with more hopefully to come — will instead chronicle the romances of Garrett's closest teammates.
John Logan (Antonio Cipriano), Dean Heyward-Di Laurentis (Stephen Kalyn), and John Tucker (Jalen Thomas Brooks) are all destined to find their soulmates at Briar University. Essentially, Garrett and his roommates are Off Campus' version of the Bridgerton siblings, with each new semester or school year framing their stories the same way Bridgerton's social seasons do. To make this truly work, though, Off Campus will need to not just follow in Bridgerton's new-couple-per-season footsteps but also follow the show's best book change: it needs to become a genuine ensemble show, too.
Prime Video's Off Campus Needs To Treat Its Cast As An Ensemble
One of the things that makes Bridgerton work so brilliantly is the way it treats its entire cast as an ensemble. While each love story can be watched and even understood on its own, the Bridgerton characters' arcs over multiple seasons help their romances feel richer and more developed.
Think of the way Bridgerton portrayed Anthony in season 1, and how his rigorous sense of duty affected his feelings for his future wife, Kate, in season 2. Think of the way the show set up Penelope's crush and her friendship with Colin in Bridgerton's first two seasons, and how that changed the way they interacted and fell in love in season 3. Look back at Bridgerton season 4, and how the death of Francesca's husband set up her connection with his cousin, Michaela, for the upcoming fifth season.
If all of those plot beats had been included in a single season (or left out entirely), their stories and character arcs would have suffered greatly. The Bridgerton siblings don't just magically fall in love and find their happily-ever-afters. They have to put in real work to make their relationships last. Off Campus should set up its future narratives the same way. While Hannah and Garrett won't be afforded that same luxury (though they can certainly return for more in Off Campus season 2), their romance can set the tone and the stage for their friends' upcoming stories.
While Kennedy's The Deal does introduce each new player, the narrative's first-person perspective limits what readers learn about Logan, Dean, and Tucker. All that can be revealed is what Garrett and Hannah actively know about them. The show, however, can dig deeper into some of the books' established storylines, including Dean's friendships outside the house and Logan's unrequited feelings for Hannah. Prime's adaptation isn't restricted to just Garrett and Hannah's points of view. It can follow anyone, at any time.
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The only thing Off Campus needs to avoid is letting the ensemble and future setups overwhelm the current love story. Hannah and Garrett deserve their time in the spotlight. This has been an issue with Bridgerton in the past, especially where the Lady Whistledown story was involved. If the trailer is anything to go by, though, Lousia Levy's Off Campus adaptation has struck the right balance, with Garrett and Hannah's loving and sexy romance playing a crucial role in building up Briar University's world while still being the rightful center of attention.
Off Campus season 1 premieres exclusively on Prime Video on Wednesday, May 13.
Cast
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Ella Bright Hannah -
Belmont Cameli Garrett
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