Exclusive Interview
Jalen Thomas Brooks Talks ‘Off Campus’ & Stepping Into John Tucker’s Skates
What To Know
- Jalen Thomas Brooks stars as John Tucker in Prime Video’s upcoming hockey romance series Off Campus.
- The show is based on Elle Kennedy’s popular book series revolving around the fictional Briar University hockey team.
- Brooks teases the show, talks learning how to skate, and more.
Before he donned the pink apron of John Tucker (IYKYK), actor Jalen Thomas Brooks wore the nursing scrubs of The Pitt‘s Matteo Diaz. The reason the nurse doesn’t appear in the first half of the medical drama’s second season is because he was busy shooting Off Campus, Prime Video’s upcoming hockey romance series.
Those familiar with the Off Campus universe, which is the brainchild of author Elle Kennedy, know that Brooks’ character is one of the core four leading men. Like the steamy book series it’s based on, the show takes place at the fictional Briar University, and Tucker is part of its elite hockey team, whom viewers will meet in May 2026. Tucker, the hunky southern gentleman of the group, is just as skilled in the kitchen as he is on the ice.
Those who’ve been keeping up with Off Campus‘ promo know by now that Brooks and his costars underwent hockey training for their roles, back when Season 1 filmed during summer 2025. For Tucker, Brooks learned how to play left wing. “Skating’s getting there,” he told Swooon on the Actor Awards red carpet, which took place on Sunday, March 1. “I looked like a deer in headlights when I first got on the ice, slipping all over the place, but now I’m pretty good.”
It’s a good thing, since Off Campus scored an early Season 2 renewal. Each of Kennedy’s books follows a different Briar U hockey player and their respective love interest, and the show will follow suit. Briar U’s star center, Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli), is the focus in Season 1. He falls for music major Hannah (Ella Bright) when they make a deal to fake date. We also meet Garrett’s three roommates and teammates: Logan (Antonio Cipriano), Dean (Stephen Kalyn), and Brooks’ Tucker.
They’re the subjects of the following three books, with Tucker’s arriving last. Those unfamiliar with the source material may be wondering if Off Campus has any similarity to Heated Rivalry, Crave’s breakout hit about the relationship between two closeted hockey players. “There’s romance [in both],” Brooks said, adding that his show is “inclusive” when it comes to opposite- and same-sex couples. “I mean, [Off Campus] is set in college, so it’s not in the pros like Heated Rivalry is, but yeah, it’s like Bridgerton, but for hockey.”
Regardless of their differences, Brooks thinks that the enthusiasm generated for Heated Rivalry might spill over into Off Campus. “They did such a great job,” he said of the Crave series. “I’m hoping we create our own [hit show].”
Off Campus, Season 1, May 2026, Prime Video
Reporting by Michael Maloney.
