Prime Video’s Off Campus Cast And Characters Guide

Adapted from Elle Kennedy’s young adult romance novel series of the same name, Amazon Prime’s “Off Campus” ticks the boxes of every clichéd trope you’d think of when it comes to old school college dramas. This is most apparent in the characterization, as the teenage figures are reduced to mere stereotypical caricatures who feel pitifully out of touch with reality and express themselves in an exaggerated manner. While the inner struggles and hurdles faced by the characters might appear relatable, the way they have been represented makes for trashy fun at best. 

British actor Ella Bright made her screen debut with crime series “Legends,” and her silver screen debut came with the comedy movie “Holmes and Watson.” Bright’s big break came with the TV series adaptation of “Malory Towers,” and around the same period, she played the role of young Kate Middleton in “The Crown.” In “Off Campus,” she plays the lead role of Hannah Wells, a talented musician, a high achiever nerdy student who has joined Briar U to seek a fresh start. A mild-mannered individual who prefers to keep a lid on her passionate side, Hannah naturally stands apart from the validation-seeking crowd of her peers. Hannah carries the burdens of her dark past, as a victim of sexual abuse, she was denied justice and saw her family suffer thanks to the deplorable authorities. A sensitive Hannah wrongly blamed herself for her tragic past, and emotionally guarded herself while finding it difficult to let others get close to her. Over the course of the series, Hannah’s journey to free herself from her self imposed isolation begins after she finds a kindred spirit in Graham, and they connect through their mutual grief. A genuinely kind, understanding soul, Hannah helps Graham get over his childhood trauma. Hannah’s strongest emotional expression is her passion for music, reconnecting with which also signifies her much deserved emancipation. Ella Bright did a great job capturing Hannah’s vulnerabilities and the strength of character through her nuanced performance.

Actor Belmont Cameli made his on-screen debut with sitcom reboot,  “Saved By the Bell,” and after his breakout success, Cameli acted in several movies, like “The Alto Knights,” “Until Dawn,” and “Along for the Ride.” In Prime Video’s “Off Campus,” Cameli plays the lead, Garrett Graham, star ice hockey player of Briar U, the charismatic, flamboyant captain of the University team. Garrett comes off as an oversmart jock stereotype. However, as the show moves forward, Garrett’s tender, emotionally mature side comes to the surface. Garrett shares an estranged relationship with his abusive father, Phil, a former NHL player who forced his aspirations onto his son leading to Garrett’s lifelong struggle to live up to the legacy of his old man. In stark contrast to Garrett’s need for validation are his conscious attempts to distance himself from Phil, whom he detests while carrying the trauma of witnessing his mother being abused by him. 

Garrett fears that his horrifying past experiences and underlying trauma will eventually turn him into a toxic individual like his old man. You see, Garrett has been raised in an extremely dysfunctional household, and his journey as a hockey player has led him to remain in a mostly toxic masculine environment. However, Garrett hasn’t let his surroundings shape his psyche, as seen in the way he helps Hannah navigate consensual, physical intimacy. Garrett connects with Hannah by seeing her finding her true self through her passion of music, as he too wishes to liberate himself from the mental shackles which have chained him. Despite being emotionally responsible, Garrett has a fiercely protective, volatile side to him, which leads him to seek violence when he faces Hannah’s abuser in the rink. In that context, Garrett might appear a bit selfish, as he didn’t consider the plight of his teammates and their efforts while letting his darker instincts get the better of him. However, unlike his old man, Garrett knows when he needs to owe up to his mistakes, and accepts the repercussions of his actions by rejecting the allure of evading them. A respectful, loving partner to Hannah who knows to respect her boundaries, celebrate her success, and motivate her through thick and thin, Garrett is an exemplary character when he is not burdened by certain obvious stereotypes. Belmont Cameli did a great job portraying multiple sides of Garrett’s character through his emphatic performance. 

Aside from the main characters, “Off Campus” boasts a talented cast of young actors who did an excellent job with the roles they were given. Mika Abdalla plays the role of Allie Hayes, Hannah’s best friend. Antonio Cipriano plays the role of John Logan, Garrett’s best friend and teammate. Stephen Kalyn plays the role of Dean Di Laurentis, Allie’s lover and Garrett’s friend/ teammate. Steve Howey plays the role of Phil Graham, former NHL star and Garrett’s abusive father.