A Unexpected Love Story
When Louisa Levy was offered the role of creator and showrunner for the new television series Off Campus, she could not have imagined the personal journey that would follow. In a conversation with Gill Deacon, she reflects on stepping onto a rink for the first time and discovering a passion that would reshape her professional path.
Levy’s background is rooted in scripted drama, with notable credits on The Flight Attendant, Stumptown, and Death and Other Details. Yet, before landing the Off Campus gig, she had never set foot in a hockey arena. The opportunity forced her to confront a sport she knew only from afar, ultimately turning curiosity into an intimate connection.
As she delved deeper into the production, Levy found herself immersed in the rhythms of the game, the camaraderie of the locker room, and the raw emotion that fuels the sport. That immersion became the catalyst for a genuine love of hockey, a sentiment that now informs every narrative beat of Off Campus.
The series taps into a burgeoning genre: hockey romance. Inspired in part by the popularity of novels like Heated Rivalry, this niche has exploded in recent months, drawing readers and viewers who crave stories where competition meets affection on the ice. Levy’s work contributes to that momentum, blending athletic intensity with heartfelt connection.
Fans eager to hear more can listen to the full interview on the CBC Arts podcast Q with Tom Power, where Levy expands on her creative process, the challenges of translating sport into storytelling, and the future of the hockey romance wave.