Josh Heuston is taking Justin Kohl in a completely different direction. The Off Campus star broke down his approach to the character in the Prime Video adaptation of Elle Kennedy's beloved series, pivoting away from the football-player archetype that originally competed with Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli) for Hannah Wells' (Ella Bright) affection.
Music becomes central to this new iteration. While Kennedy's first book, The Deal, uses melody as a plot device, Heuston's Justin Kohl leans into that sonic identity, transforming the character from jock to creative soul.
"I wanted to give him a heart," Heuston revealed about his casting choice and character development. The shift feels deliberate—less toxic masculinity, more vulnerability through art.
Season 1 of Off Campus brings readers from page to screen, and this reimagined love triangle could reshape which team viewers support. Hannah Wells has two very different men vying for her attention: Garrett's traditional swoon factor versus Justin's artistic edge.
The music angle isn't just decoration. For a character in an adaptation of a romance series that uses "The Deal" as its foundation, giving Justin Kohl an instrument instead of a helmet signals that Prime Video isn't copying Kennedy's blueprint—they're remixing it.
Heuston's willingness to deepen his character through creativity suggests the streaming giant understands that modern audiences want depth over dumb jock tropes. Whether Hannah chooses the footballer or the musician, Justin Kohl won't be forgotten as a throwaway love interest.
