Season 1 of Prime Video’s Off Campus introduced major changes from Elle Kennedy’s novel The Deal, but one of the biggest talking points among fans was the removal of the campus-wide “hands off” rule.
Based on Kennedy’s Off Campus book series, the show follows an elite college hockey team and the women connected to them as they navigate love, heartbreak, friendships, and the challenges of growing into adulthood.
In Season 1, the central romance between Hannah (Ella Bright) and Garrett (Belmont Cameli) takes the spotlight. While many key moments from The Deal are still included, several were adapted or reshaped for television.
The most controversial change involved Garrett’s so-called “hands-off” rule after his breakup with Hannah. In the book, Garrett’s protective decision frustrates Hannah but ultimately becomes part of what brings them back together.
However, the series takes a different approach. Instead of a clear campus rule, Hannah hears that Garrett has been warning other guys to stay away from her. This leads to confrontation and confusion, until it is revealed that a misunderstanding between teammates caused the situation.
According to showrunner Louisa Levy, the change was made to preserve the spirit of the original storyline without portraying Garrett in a completely negative light. She explained that adapting a book for television requires adjustments to pacing and storytelling, especially when condensing a full novel into eight episodes.
Levy also noted that the production focused on preserving essential elements of the story while reworking others to better fit the screen format. Key moments from the book were included where possible, while some were reimagined or used as subtle references for fans.
Off Campus is now streaming on Prime Video.
