From enemies-to-lovers romances, coming-of-age chaos, series capture same emotional intensity, slow-burn tension
If you have been hooked by the slow-burn romances, messy love triangles, and coming-of-age chaos, then Off Campus is already on your radar. The hit Canadian series adapted from Elle Kennedy’s bestselling Off-Campus novel was granted huge buzz for its mix of college romance, sports-driven storylines, and intense emotional tension.
The story follows an elite group of hockey players and the women who change their lives while balancing friendship, ambition, heartbreak, and love in a way that feels dramatic and addictive.
The cast includes Ella Bright as Hannah Wells, Belmont Cameli as Garrett Graham, Mika Abdalla as Allie Hayes, and Stephen Kalyn as Dean Di Laurentis.
The show has already been renewed for season two, with a reported focus on Allie and Dean’s relationship. While we wait for a new season, below are 10 shows that capture a similar emotional tone, romantic intensity, and character-driven storyline as Off Campus.
Finding her Edge
Photo: The Hollywood Reporter
A sports-romance drama centered on ambition, rivalry and emotional growth, Finding her Edge leans into the “enemies-to-loves” arc, making it a natural fit for fans of Off Campus. It also explores ice-skating as the main theme of the show, especially where characters are fighting for success in high-pressure athletic environments.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Photo: BBC
This coming-of-age romance follows Belly as she becomes entangled in a love triangle between two brothers during their unforgettable summers. Like Off Campus, The Summer I Turned Pretty thrives on emotion and nostalgia, creating a slow-burn tension that builds over time.
One Day
Photo: Variety
A deeply emotional series that revisits two characters on the same date across many years, One Day focuses on timing, missed opportunities and lifelong connection, making it perfect for viewers who enjoy emotional weight behind romance.
My Life with the Walter Boys
PHOTO: TVLine
After a tragic loss, a girl moves in with a large family of brothers, creating romantic tension, emotional confusion, and plenty of slow-burn relationships. My Life with the Walter Boys mirrors Off Campus with its blend of found-family dynamics and romantic entanglements.
Normal People
Photo: Deadline
A raw and realistic portrayal of two people navigating love, class differences, and emotional vulnerability through high school and college, Normal People is more grounded and less glossy than Off Campus but shares the same intensity of connection and heartbreak-driven storytelling.
Heartbreak High
Photo: Rolling Stone Australia
Set in a modern high school environment, the series explores messy relationships, identity, and emotional chaos among teens. Heartbreak High is a mix of romance, drama, and personal growth, making it a strong match for fans who enjoy emotionally-charged ensemble storytelling.
Heated Rivalry
Photo: TV Guide
Based on Rachel Reid’s hockey romance novels, the show focuses on fierce competition between two professional athletes whose rivalry slowly turns into something much deeper. Like Off Campus, Heated Rivalry combines sports pressure with forbidden romance and emotional intensity.
One Tree Hill
Photo: The Guardian
A classic teen drama that blends basketball, friendship drama, and multiple romantic arcs, One Tree Hill shares the same DNA as Off Campus: sports culture, emotional friendships, and complicated love lives that evolve over several seasons.
Tell Me Lies
Photo: ELLE
The series dives into a toxic, addictive college relationship that spans years. It captures obsession, emotional manipulation, and intense attraction, making it a darker but compelling counterpart to the romantic chaos in Off Campus.
Maxton Hall
Photo: Entertainment Weekly
A privileged school setting, a scholarship student, and a powerful romance that crosses social boundaries define this series. Maxton Hall mirrors Off Campus with its depiction of an elite academic environment, focus on emotional tension, and the enemies-to-lovers progression.
From the nostalgic warmth of The Summer I Turned Pretty to the raw intensity of Normal People and the messy drama of Tell Me Lies, each series offers a different angle on love, heartbreak, and growing up. For viewers who were pulled in by Off Campus, the shows listed above may provide that same emotional rollercoaster through forbidden relationships, slow-burn romances, and magnetic characters.
