ENTERTAINMENT'Off Campus' Stars Reveal Surprising Auditions for Different Roles Before Final Series Casting
The cast of ‘Off Campus’ revealed surprising twists in the show’s casting process.
Aug. 11 2026, Published 10:33 a.m. ET
The cast of Off Campus, the popular series that premiered in May, features actors who have brought Elle Kennedy's book series to life.
However, many of them initially auditioned for roles different from the ones they ultimately landed.
Mika Abdalla and Stephen Kalyn’s characters were positioned as potential leads for future seasons.
The show centers around an elite ice hockey team and the women in their lives, with the love story of Hannah, played by Ella Bright, and Garrett, portrayed by Belmont Cameli, taking the lead in season one.
Some key moments from their book, The Deal, were updated for the series, while characters Allie (Mika Abdalla) and Dean (Stephen Kalyn) are set up as potential leads, even though their book appearances come later in the series.
The cast also includes Jalen Thomas Brooks, Antonio Cipriano, Josh Heuston, and Steve Howey, alongside unexpected additions Charlie Evans and India Fowler as the season progresses. With the show already renewed for a second season, fans are eager to see how the story unfolds.
‘Off Campus’ adapted key moments from Elle Kennedy’s book series.
Showrunner Louisa Levy discussed the adaptation process, sharing her thoughts with Us Weekly.
“It’s definitely great to have the blueprint of this fabulous book series to start with, but adapting for a TV show is a little bit different,” she noted. Levy emphasized the importance of keeping the audience engaged and focused on the narrative.
She explained, “We have a lot of stories told in different ways. We have eight episodes instead of the whole book.” Levy highlighted the need to retain key elements that define Off Campus, stating, “We really started with the things that were super nonnegotiable.”
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Stephen Kalyn initially auditioned for a different ‘Off Campus’ role.
In a surprising turn, some actors revealed their initial auditions for different roles.
Stephen Kalyn, who now portrays Dean, initially auditioned for Logan. He reflected, “I thought it was good. But then, it’s interesting how the casting process works because I see why I didn’t get the part.”
Mika Abdalla, who plays Allie, also had a different vision for her character. “I originally auditioned for Hannah,” she revealed. “I just knew that wasn’t right. Everybody knew that wasn’t right.”
However, when she was offered the role of Allie, she felt a sense of relief, saying, “Everything just fell into place in a really good way.”
Fans looked ahead as the series prepared for its second season.
As anticipation builds for the second season, fans are eager to learn which couples will take the spotlight next. The revelations about casting dynamics keep viewers invested in the narrative, and the excitement for Off Campus continues to grow.
