From Hockey Rinks to Global Stardom: Josh Heuston on the Rom-Com Renaissance
“We’re so back, baby,” declares a visibly enthusiastic Josh Heuston, the 29-year-old Australian actor at the heart of the buzzy young adult series Off Campus. He’s speaking with a palpable romanticism about the resurgence of the romantic comedy genre, a sentiment he feels is deeply resonant in today’s world.
“I feel like it’s a DM, swipe-right culture now,” Heuston muses, perched on a hotel couch in Sydney’s Crown hotel. The actor, having already navigated a demanding media schedule since the crack of dawn, is gearing up for an evening fan event. “Someone buying someone a drink at a bar, or singing from the top of an ice skating rink to say, ‘I love you’ – people are craving that,” he observes, highlighting a public yearning for grand, overt gestures of affection.
His optimism is well-founded. The eight-episode television adaptation of Elle Kennedy’s popular steamy young adult novel, Off Campus, has exploded onto the scene since its May 15th release, captivating an audience of 36 million viewers. More impressively, it has snagged one of Amazon Prime Video’s most sought-after demographics: female viewers aged 18-34, propelling it to become the streamer’s most successful debut of all time.
The series, which prominently features a chiseled and frequently shirtless college ice hockey team, has been quickly labelled the heterosexual counterpart to Heated Rivalry, the gay ice hockey romance that similarly dominated streaming charts and propelled actors Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams to widespread recognition.
Set against the backdrop of Briar U, a fictional Ivy League institution, Off Campus centres on Hannah Wells, a music student, and Garrett Graham, the ice hockey captain. Their unlikely alliance begins with a deal: Hannah will tutor Garrett to improve his grades, and in return, he’ll engage in a fake relationship with her to help her win over her crush.
Heuston steps into the role of that very crush, Justin Kohl. Portrayed as a quiet, sensitive musician and the charismatic frontman of his band, the character requires Heuston to showcase his vocal talents both on and off-screen. The fictional band, After Hours, has even released a real-life album, adding an intriguing layer of authenticity to the series.
“It’s a running joke in my family that none of us are musicians and no one can sing,” Heuston shares with a laugh. “I had really good coaches to help me get good enough for the audition.” In fact, Heuston admits to stretching the truth about his musical abilities to even get a chance to audition. His audition piece involved singing and playing guitar to Kings of Leon’s “Revelry” – a first for him performing in front of an audience.
“Suddenly, I was in a room of producers, writers, and various [auditioning] Hannahs, and I was just singing at each one,” he recalls. “It was terrifying, but it paid off. From there, I was given the most amazing music team.” The collaborative spirit was so strong among the music team that they even got matching tattoos of the lyric “Hot Snack” after completing the album.
Music played a pivotal role in Heuston’s character development. He meticulously journaled as Justin and curated a public Spotify playlist for him, featuring artists like Royel Otis, Dominic Fike, and Kings of Leon.
“We were picking what musicians he would be inspired by, and then we decided to make him Australian instead of American,” Heuston explains. “Then I was like, ‘OK, those musicians need to be Australian as well as American.'” This creative liberty, shifting Justin from a football player in the book to a musician, was a significant departure that keen-eyed fans certainly noticed. Adapting a beloved bestselling romance novel is a delicate balancing act, and Heuston acknowledges the immense pressure to satisfy a devoted fanbase. However, he reports that the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I feel pressure anytime I make anything, so you add a book that’s been so beloved by so many people for so many years, and it heightens it,” he admits. “At the end of the day, I’ve just gotta put the blinders on and try to do the best job I possibly can.”
Heuston’s previous breakout role as the heartthrob Dusty in Netflix’s Heartbreak High reboot shared some parallels with Justin, albeit with a more pronounced “bad-boy” edge. The role of Justin feels like a significant step up for Heuston, not only because he’s outgrown playing high schoolers but also due to the expanded international reach of Off Campus. “It’s nuts. I didn’t know if it was going to take off in the way it has,” he says, reflecting on the series’ early success.
Having spent the last few months filming overseas, including wrapping up season two of Dune: Prophecy, the television prequel to the blockbuster film franchise, Heuston, who is of Sri-Lankan heritage and grew up in Baulkham Hills, Sydney, is relishing being back home. His burgeoning career has also been a focal point of rampant speculation, particularly regarding potential casting in Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming adaptation of the popular BookTok sensation, Fourth Wing.
When pressed about his potential involvement in other book adaptations, particularly Fourth Wing, after a long day of fielding such questions, Heuston playfully deflects with a humorous quip: “Yeah, the Rainbow Fish. Have you seen that? It’s a kid’s book.”
On the subject of being labelled a “heartthrob,” Heuston laughs, finding the notion somewhat surreal. “That’s a crazy sentence,” he says. “I have the same group of mates and the same family, obviously. I just go home and everyone bullies me, and I’m like, ‘Great, we’re back.’ And then I go away and live a crazy life that doesn’t feel real.”
Despite the whirlwind of fame, Heuston finds himself, for the first time, in a position where he can actively choose his projects. “It’s a great position to be in. I haven’t really had that before,” he states. He also expresses pride in being seen as a role model for a new generation of actors, noting, “Growing up, there weren’t a lot of people [of his background] playing the kinds of roles that I’m playing now.”
It’s not uncommon for him to be approached by fathers at the gym, seeking his help to connect with their sons who are grappling with their identities. “They’ll be like, ‘My son is getting bullied at school’ – which is a massive thing that I dealt with as well – ‘and seeing you play these characters gives them a lot of confidence. Can you call him?'” Heuston readily agrees to these requests, sharing a simple yet profound philosophy that was once imparted to him: “Fall up.” He elaborates, “You know how people fall down? Just don’t do that. Fall up.”
Heuston’s own journey into acting can be described as something out of a storybook. He was scouted as a model while working as a bartender during his studies for a double degree in biomolecular science and commerce, a path he ultimately didn’t complete. His acting debut occurred in 2021 with the Network 10 teen thriller Dive Club.
When asked about imposter syndrome amidst his rapid ascent, his response is immediate and candid: “Yeah, every day. I feel like it’d be weird if you didn’t. You step into a fake world in a lot of ways. Even us doing this interview right now feels surreal. I’m always wondering, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ But I’m incredibly grateful that it is.”
Off Campus has already been greenlit for a second season, with each season set to focus on the romantic arc of a different couple, akin to the structure of Bridgerton. The show has clearly resonated with its predominantly young, female audience, offering a much-needed dose of romance in what can often feel like a rather unromantic world.
Heuston advocates for embracing the vulnerability and potential embarrassment that often accompanies love. “When you fall for someone and you put your heart on your sleeve, you go for it, you’re supposed to look like an idiot because it’s irrational,” he advises. “Take a risk. Go for love. Go tell them that you love them. Fall up.”
Off Campus is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
