In case you’re living under a rock, the latest pop culture trend on television is the wild obsession with romantic series featuring hockey. The cross-section of love heating up off the ice began with the incredibly popular guilty pleasure, Heated Rivalry. The baton has since been passed to another book-to-series juicy romance: Off Campus. Created by Louisa Levy, the series is based on the novel series by Elle Kennedy. Set at the fictional Briar University, the show’s first season followed the fake romantic relationship turned genuine romance found in the novel The Deal.

A major reason Off Campus has resonated and taken off so quickly is the incredible characters viewers have fallen in love with. From the girls looking for men with green flags to the boys of the hockey team who have become our latest internet boyfriends, the roster of characters is brought to life by an incredible ensemble. So, which character is the best? It’s time to break down the main and recurring cast from least great to simply the best. While everyone has different criteria for what makes them the best, for this list, we’ll consider on-screen resume and performance. Though this lineup might shift by Season 2, this is how it shakes out after eight enthralling episodes.

14

Phil Graham

Portrayed by Steve Howey

Image via Prime Video

One of the most difficult things a TV fan must do is separate an actor from their previous roles when they take on new ones. Steve Howey will forever be remembered for his role on Reba. He was lovably goofy, and that’s why he was adored. His part on Off Campus couldn’t be further away. Phil Graham serves as the primary antagonist in the overarching narrative that is his son’s life. The father of Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli), the former hockey star, serves as the root of Garrett’s deepest traumas. Phil is seen for who he is: strict, controlling, and abusive. Phil is a former NHL star and wants the same legacy for his son. What he misses is that this pressure is a major root of his current strain.

The other true flaw, of course, is how he treated a young Garrett and his mother. When we see Phil, he is well-meaning until he’s rattled. Then, his true colors are exposed. By far, one of the darkest moments of the season came during Thanksgiving dinner, in which Garrett discovered that Cindy (Francesca Bianchi), his father’s new girlfriend, was the latest victim of his abuse. If there’s one element about Phil that serves as a positive, it’s that Garrett is fighting everything in his power to avoid turning into his father. And when those signs appear, he makes an effort to change his actions swiftly. Self-awareness makes a green flag boyfriend. That said, when Phil watched his son attack another player on the ice, only to meet him with praise, it only confirmed Phil as the ultimate bad dad.

13

Hunter Davenport

Portrayed by Charlie Evans

Image via Prime Video

Just the name alone — Hunter Davenport — exudes the ick. And well, he lives up to his name in Season 1. Brought to life by Charlie Evans, Hunter is a wealthy freshman hockey recruit who serves as a major source of romantic and on-ice conflict. Hunter plays a role in multiple intertwining plot lines, predominantly via Allie Hayes (Mika Abdalla) and Dean Di Laurentis (Stephen Kalyn). His first foray into the game comes through his bar meet-cute with Allie, where he goes by the name on his fake ID, Carter St. James. Allie clocked that it was not a real name because of the correlation to the character on Glee. As the secret guy Allie sleeps with, his presence becomes a combustible plot device as he has beef with her on-again, off-again new fling, Dean. The duo harbors deep resentment as they attended the same high school, where Hunter had a messy, bitter past with Dean’s sister, Summer, as well as walking away from the Briar U hockey open tryouts. Dean sees him as a selfish dick, which he’s not far off on. He doesn’t have an attitude that you want to be around beyond a one-night stand.

Hunter arrives as a low-stakes fling for Allie post-breakup. Hunter may have seemed as if he were a passing character, but it seems he’ll be a thorn in the Season 2 story’s side. Based on what we’ve seen and what we know, he will absolutely not make things easy for Allie and Dean. If you love juicy drama and a face to place the blame on, Hunter fits the bill. His cliffhanger reveal is the perfect setup for Season 2, as Allie and Dean will be in the spotlight next. For book readers, Hunter takes center stage as the protagonist in The Play, but that storyline seems far away at the moment.

12

Sean

Portrayed by Riley Davis

Image via Prime Video

We’re going to give Sean McCall a bit of grace simply because his relationship demands weren’t necessarily out of line, but as a former theater kid here, he simply didn’t understand how theater careers work. They don’t magically appear following a degree in hand. That said, we give him grace because Allie was for sure not innocent in the demise of their relationship. Sean arrives in Season 1 as Allie’s adorable long-term boyfriend. He’s integrated into the primary friend group, but, as breakups go, once he and Allie were over, he was gone. He’s not a charming-but-villainous individual as the book portrayed him; he’s just a wet blanket of a partner.

Played by Riley Davis, Sean is largely seen as a “bad” boyfriend because he is portrayed as a dull, unsupportive partner who stifles Allie’s desire for excitement. The truth is, he’s not bad — just incompatible. Allie wants more from life, while Sean wants a future of stability. The TV version of Sean is much softer than the manipulative jerk found on the page. This gives a bit of a ding on Allie’s resume when she has a brush with the wild side prior to their split. Sean just didn’t want to partake in a costume party, but we thank him, as the 2026 couple costume will be inspired by Allie and Dean, with people showing up as Jennifer Lopez in the green dress and Maverick from Top Gun.

11

Daveed

Portrayed by Brandon Scott

Image via Prime Video

We all have that one teacher or professor who is meant to inspire us to be the people we are today. For Hannah Wells (Ella Bright), that stand-in figure comes in the form of her music professor and advisor, Daveed. Played by Brandon Scott, Daveed is the vital emotional anchor for Hannah’s music journey. Daveed, as he should, serves as the steady adult figure in Hannah’s life who always shows up when she needs advice without adding unnecessary, chaotic drama. Though he may roll his eyes at the whiplash that she and the school put him through, in the end, his mission is to ensure the best for Hannah. Pretty sure if he had the monetary means to pay for her tuition, he’d front it. Daveed is an exceptional mentor, championing her artistic talent and providing consistent encouragement.

One of his shining moments came when he advised Hannah on finding her true voice, gently pushing her to write music that makes her feel in middle school with artists like Paramore. When he challenges her to step outside her comfort zone, little does he realize that it also helps her romantic prospects. When Hannah became afraid of letting others in and dropping out of the Pop Showcase, he reminded her that allowing the right people in could be the healing that she needed. Of course, when she runs back in, hoping for a spot in the Pop Showcase, he lets her know that the programs still list her name, so her spot is still there. Knowing Daveed, he was never going to give up that opportunity for a student he believed in. Daveed could be higher on this list, but unfortunately, as a storytelling device, he’s forced to be a sustained one-night hero.

10

Dexter

Portrayed by Miles Gutierrez-Riley

Image via Prime Video

The truth about relationships is that when you find your true love, your inner circle slowly falls away. But when you need them, they’re always there for you with a punch of the truth. Such is the case for screen time in Off Campus. The time we did have with Dexter was fantastic, as he showcased how fiercely loyal and brilliantly hilarious he is. Played by Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Dexter is one of Hannah’s most outgoing friends. Dexter is best known for cracking jokes, offering pointed opinions, and supporting Hannah as she develops her complicated feelings for Garrett. Dexter is the friend you go to when you need the mood lightened.

Dexter has a magnetic energy about him. His charisma is simply unmatched. No one has more perfectly timed facial expressions. Whether it’s his witty emceeing in Drunk Shakespeare, making college classes bearable with sly commentary, or the quotable lines that made him a fan favorite, Dexter was more than just the gay best friend; he was iconic. If there is one character who deserves more screen time, it’s Dexter. Perhaps with our other theater diva leading the next season, we might get to see his stage prowess continue.

9

Justin Kohl

Portrayed by Josh Heuston

Image via Prime Video

The action of Season 1 is all because of this guy: music heartthrob Justin Kohl. Justin is the epitome of a crush. He’s a brooding, tattooed, talented guitarist of the band After Hours. As a music major, it’s no wonder Hannah would be enamored by him. Like most of us with a crush, Hannah has little capacity to communicate her feelings for him. Unlike most of us, Hannah hatched a plan with Garrett to fake a romance to make Justin jealous. That was while he was helping her out with writing a song for the Pop Showcase. Though they may have had some collaborative chemistry, as romcoms always prove, it was Garrett all along. Their collaboration fizzled out when Justin went rogue, performed Hannah’s song, which he wrote lyrics to, and then asked her to start over. Not the best means of collaborating! Believe me, I’ve experienced it. That said, the music was a metaphor for their relationship during the season.

Josh Heuston eased into the part of the campus heartthrob, giving him that emo, angsty edge with an aura of mystery that gets the ladies swooning. Heuston made him more than just a plot device, as he told Deadline. “I wanted people to feel for him and empathize in the fact that he’s just trying to follow his heart and see where that takes him, and as opposed to just being the totally typical archetype,” Heuston revealed. Sadly for Justin, his run on Off Campus was a one-and-done; Heuston will not be returning for Season 2, mostly due to availability, according to the showrunner. Since Hannah and Garrett are officially a thing, his part of the story is over — for now. Based on the book, further down the timeline, Justin will find his love with another character named Stella. But we’re not there yet.

8

Beau Maxwell

Portrayed by Khobe Clarke

Image via Prime Video

If you’re a book reader, then you know what Beau Maxwell’s story will eventually be. For those series-only watches, savor the moments with the adorable Beau. Brought to life by Khobe Clarke, Beau is the charismatic star quarterback of the football team. He serves as the bridge that bridges the two sports squads together, as he just so happens to be Dean’s faithful wingman. Beau is loyal and goofy, so basically the epitome of golden retriever energy. He and Allie have a shocking shared interest: musical theater. And yes, they force Dean to experience their musical song geek-out, relishing his displeasure.

As a key cog in Allie and Dean’s story, Beau happens to have a famous sister who is an actor, Joanna Maxwell (Lauren Patten). When Joanna visits campus, Allie fawn’s over her, as they bond over romance. It’s Jo who convinces Allie to let loose at the bar, which ultimately finds her crossing paths with Hunter. If Jo is the devil on the shoulder, Beau is the angel. Widely expanded for the series, Beau serves as the emotional heartbeat of the group. He helps to bring out Dean’s softer side and capacity for deep, connected love. An instant standout character, expect more of Beau to come.

7

John Tucker

Portrayed by Jale Thomas Brooks

Image via Prime Video

John Tucker will likely fall to a higher spot as the series goes on, but compared to the other boys of the Briar U hockey team, he hasn’t had his fully flourishing moments quite yet. That said, we know exactly who we would turn to for a memorable orphans’ Thanksgiving. In a world of green flags, Tucker is the hunky, emotionally available boyfriend material of one of the team. With the boy-next-door vibe, Tucker brings an endearing Texas charm and little brother energy. Raised by a single mother, he acts as the nurturer of the group. He famously cooks for his roommates, leading him to the epic Thanksgiving extravaganza.

What makes Tucker stand out is that he avoids the stereotypical, egotistical jock trope. The only time his negative emotions rise is if you interfere with his kitchen. Even then, Tucker is endearing. He may be the rookie of the team, but actor Jalen Thomas Brooks is the veteran of the cast. Brooks knows a bit or two about fan-favorite TV shows, as he just so happens to play nurse Mateo Diaz on The Pitt. If there’s anyone on the Briar U hockey team who needs a devoted friend, look no further than Tucker.

6

Jules Logan

Portrayed by Julia Sarah Stone

Image via Prime Video

While Off Campus doesn’t have any boy-on-boy romances like Heated Rivalry, it certainly celebrates diversity and visibility thanks to the enigmatic Jules Logan. An original character written for the show, Julie is nonbinary and the younger sibling of hockey star John Logan (Antonio Cipriano). Jules works as the play-by-play commentator and runs the popular campus hockey gossip account known as “Fifth Line.” And even having the pulse on the drama, Jules is nothing but a supportive confidant and internal sounding board for their sibling, especially when struggling with love and their mother.

In the book, Logan has an older brother who served as the family caretaker of the auto-repair shop and their alcoholic parent. Jules takes on this narrative with a fresh take that has received a warm welcome from fans. Brought to life by Julia Sarah Stone, Jules has opened a necessary door for LGBTQ+ representation on the series. Now, for the hockey averse, Jules serves as the translator, explaining the complexities of hockey and the stakes of the game for the audience. With their brother’s love life potentially shaping up for Season 2, expect more great monologues of moral support from Jules to come.

5

Allie Hayes

Portrayed by Mika Abdalla

Image via Prime Video

From a performance perspective, one of the top actors in the ensemble is Mika Abdalla. As Allie Hayes, she lights up the screen every time she’s on it. The only reason she isn’t a bit higher is that some of her more questionable decisions throughout Season 2, compared to those above her. Allie is the witty, devoted bestie to Hannah and the ultimate ride-or-die. Allie is the one you turn to when you need someone to confide in. When Hannah reveals her past trauma, Allie shows unparalleled grace, reminding her friend of her worth. And even though Allie is going through her own struggles, she is more than eager to be the shoulder to cry on. Outwardly, Allie presents herself as a fun, outgoing young woman. Internally, she’s navigating her own path of self-discovery, college life, and romance.

Allie’s season began with Sean, took a detour with Hunter, and got quite steamy with Dean. Her relationship with Sean wasn’t perfect, as she was seeking more in life than just being a partner. She sought out a career that conflicted with his goals. Did she lead him along a bit? Maybe, but the real ding in her resume came with an instant flirtation with Dean. However, once she was free to roam, that’s when we saw the part of Allie we love watching. Between the secret hook-ups to the photo booth escapade and the fantastic Thanksgiving strip chess, the seeds of romance have been officially planted. With Off Campus borrowing the Bridgerton format and passing the focus to a new couple, Allie’s Season 2 will most certainly elevate Off Campus to even greater heights. Allie is one of the most layered individuals with much more to peel back. Her bright energy adds fun, but her softer, more mature interior is what will make the slow-burning romance with Dean one to watch for.