If you’re still reeling from the Off Campus Season 1 ending explained in that chaotic bar scene, you aren't alone. Prime Video’s adaptation of Elle Kennedy’s beloved hockey romance universe didn't just give us the Hannah and Garrett closure we craved; it blew up the entire timeline by introducing a character who shouldn't even be relevant yet. While the first eight episodes mostly followed the "fake dating" blueprint of The Deal, the finale pivoted into a high-stakes setup for Season 2 that has book purists and newcomers alike hitting "rewind."
The finale wasn't just about winning the Pop Showcase or securing a scholarship; it was a calculated move by showrunner Louisa Levy to expand the Briar University world. Between the emotional reconciliation of Hannah and Garrett and the reveal of a secret identity that will define the next chapter, there is a lot to unpack. Here is exactly what went down and what it means for the future of the Briar Hawks.
Who is Hunter Davenport in Off Campus?
Hunter Davenport is a major character in Elle Kennedy's Briar U book series, introduced in the Off Campus Season 1 finale. Played by Charlie Evans, he initially appears under the fake name "Carter St. James V" and has a one-night stand with Allie. He is revealed to be a talented hockey player and a rival to Dean Di Laurentis, setting up a central conflict for Season 2.
The Hunter Davenport Reveal: From Carter St. James to Briar U Star
The biggest shock of the finale wasn't a hockey goal—it was a fake ID. Throughout the latter half of the season, Allie (Mika Abdalla) found herself in a "will-they-won't-they" spiral with Dean, only to hook up with a wealthy, mysterious guy named Carter St. James V. In the final moments of the season, the mask slips. "Carter" isn't a random rich kid; he’s Hunter Davenport, a star athlete from a rival team who has just been recruited to join the Briar Hawks.
The Off Campus Hunter Davenport twist works because it creates an immediate, combustible rivalry. In the books, Hunter and Dean eventually become teammates and friends, but the show is taking a more aggressive route. By having Hunter hook up with Allie—the girl Dean is clearly falling for—the series has manufactured a "love triangle" that doesn't exist in the original Off Campus books.
Actor Charlie Evans admitted he didn't even know he was playing Hunter when he auditioned. The production kept the secret so tight that the character was listed as "Carter" in the scripts until the very last minute. This version of Hunter is described as having a "sad history" and carrying the weight of family expectations, which likely explains why he was using a fake name to escape his reality at a bar.
Off Campus Season 1 Finale Recap: Hannah and Garrett’s Happy Ending
While the Hunter reveal set the stage for future drama, the heart of the season was the resolution of Hannah and Garrett’s Off Campus ending. After a brutal breakup in Episode 7—triggered by Garrett’s fear that his father’s abusive nature was "contagious"—the finale saw both characters choosing to heal rather than hide.
- The Pop Showcase: Hannah (played by Louisa Levy's lead) finally reclaimed her voice. After struggling with the trauma of her high school assault by Aaron Delaney, she performed a deeply personal song that moved the audience and secured her scholarship.
- Garrett’s Redemption: Garrett Graham (Charlie Evans' co-star Stephen Kalyn) finally stood up to his father, Phil Graham. He realized that his passion for hockey wasn't about his father's legacy, but his own love for the game.
- The Reconciliation: In a scene that felt ripped straight from the pages of The Deal, Garrett waited for Hannah after her performance. The two reunited at the rink, proving that their "fake" relationship had become the most real thing in their lives.
The use of Mazzy Star’s "Fade Into You" during their period of separation added a layer of 90s-inspired angst that perfectly captured the "hockey romance" aesthetic. It grounded the show's focus on Hannah’s trauma and Garrett’s vulnerability, showing that their bond was built on more than just chemistry—it was built on mutual safety.
Book vs. Show: How the TV Series Reimagines Elle Kennedy’s Universe
This is where things get interesting for the "book girlies." The show isn't doing a 1:1 adaptation. Instead, it’s creating a Briar U timeline vs Off Campus timeline hybrid. In the original Elle Kennedy Off Campus TV series changes, Hunter Davenport doesn't really become a main character until the spin-off series, Briar U, specifically in the third book, The Play.
The Timeline Shift
In the books, The Deal (Hannah/Garrett) is followed by The Mistake (Logan/Grace) and The Score (Dean/Allie). By introducing Hunter now, the show is effectively skipping ahead or weaving multiple books together. This suggests that Off Campus Season 2 Dean will be the primary focus, but Hunter’s presence means we might be getting elements of The Play much earlier than expected.
The Allie/Dean/Hunter Triangle
In the books, Allie’s main conflict is with her ex, Sean. In the show, Sean is sidelined quickly to make room for the Dean/Hunter rivalry. This is a massive departure. The show is leaning into the "The Fifth Line" gossip account—a digital version of Gossip Girl for the hockey world—to stir the pot. The Fifth Line played a massive role in the finale by spreading rumors about Garrett and Hannah, and it’s likely the account that will "leak" the Allie/Hunter hookup to Dean in Season 2.
What Happened to Justin Kohl?
One notable content gap in the finale was the fate of Justin Kohl. After Hannah’s successful Pop Showcase, Justin—who was the object of her initial crush—essentially vanished from the narrative. While he served as the catalyst for the fake dating plot, his character seems to have served his purpose, leaving the door open for more complex antagonists in the next season.
Off Campus Season 2: Everything We Know So Far
The Off Campus Season 2 Dean focus is confirmed. Showrunner Louisa Levy has hinted at a "5-book plan," meaning she wants to adapt the entire core series and the Briar U spin-offs. Production has already moved to Vancouver for an extensive hockey training camp to ensure the on-ice action looks authentic.
Stephen Kalyn, who plays Dean, is reportedly the best skater in the cast, having played hockey in real life. The training camp lasted several weeks and focused on specific hockey drills like edge work and high-speed puck handling to prepare for the more intense game sequences expected in Season 2.
We can also expect the introduction of Summer Di Laurentis (Dean's sister). The finale briefly alluded to her, and book fans know that her history with Hunter is... complicated. If the show follows the books, Summer is the protagonist of The Chase, and her arrival will likely turn the Dean/Hunter rivalry into a full-blown family feud.
Key Takeaways from the Off Campus Finale
- The Secret Identity: "Carter St. James V" is actually Hunter Davenport, a major character from the Briar U spin-off books.
- Hannah and Garrett: They are officially back together after Hannah’s scholarship-winning performance at the Pop Showcase.
- The Rivalry: Hunter is joining the Briar Hawks, setting up a locker room war with Dean Di Laurentis.
- Season 2 Focus: The next season will center on Dean’s history, his vulnerability, and likely his relationship with Allie.
- Production Update: The cast completed a rigorous training camp in Vancouver, confirming that the hockey technicality will be ramped up.
The Verdict: A New Era for Briar U
The Off Campus Season 1 ending explained one thing clearly: this show isn't afraid to take risks with the source material. By moving Hunter Davenport up in the timeline, the writers have ensured that Season 2 won't just be a repeat of the books. It’s a smarter, more interconnected version of the hockey romance genre that understands its audience wants both the "happily ever after" and the "what happens next" drama.
Whether you're Team Dean or Team Hunter, one thing is certain: the halls of Briar University are about to get a lot more crowded, and the ice is about to get a lot thinner. Stay tuned for more updates as filming continues in Vancouver.
