Amazon Prime Video’s breakout romantic drama Off Campus became one of the platform’s biggest young adult successes after its debut season, turning Elle Kennedy’s beloved hockey romance novels into a television phenomenon with an international fan base. As production continues on the already confirmed second season, excitement remains high for the next chapter centered on Dean Di Laurentis and Allie Hayes.

But while viewers can look forward to seeing familiar faces return to Briar University, one notable character will be missing.

Josh Heuston’s Justin Kohl is officially sitting out Season 2.

The news disappointed many fans who had hoped Justin would continue appearing after playing an important supporting role during the show’s freshman season. Fortunately, the creative team insists that his absence isn’t necessarily permanent.

According to producer and writer Louisa Levy, the door remains very much open for Justin’s eventual return.

Speaking with TV Guide, Levy confirmed that Heuston will not appear during Season 2 because the actor isn’t currently available.

“We don’t have him next season,” she explained, before quickly adding an encouraging note for fans.

“But never say never.”

While Levy didn’t reveal the exact reason behind Heuston’s unavailability, her comments suggest the decision was largely driven by scheduling rather than any creative desire to remove the character from the series permanently.

That distinction has given readers of Kennedy’s novels reason to remain optimistic.

Justin still has unfinished business within the Off Campus universe.

Although he initially served as a supporting player in Season 1, readers know his story extends well beyond his early appearances.

The television adaptation first introduced Justin as the talented musician who unknowingly becomes a catalyst for Hannah Wells’ romantic journey.

At the beginning of the series, Hannah has a crush on Justin and hopes to get his attention. Her determination eventually leads her to Garrett Graham, the star hockey player who agrees to help improve her confidence in exchange for tutoring.

What begins as a practical arrangement soon develops into genuine friendship before blossoming into romance.

Ironically, Justin’s role in bringing Hannah and Garrett together ultimately makes him one of the most important supporting characters in the opening season, despite never becoming the central love interest himself.

For viewers unfamiliar with Kennedy’s books, that may have seemed like the natural conclusion of his storyline.

Readers, however, know otherwise.

The original novels continue expanding the lives of many supporting characters, including Justin, whose own romance eventually unfolds outside the events covered during Season 1.

That lingering storyline is precisely why many fans were disappointed to learn that Heuston won’t be returning immediately.

Levy understands that disappointment.

In fact, she has already begun discussing possible ways Justin could re-enter the television adaptation in future seasons.

“I love Josh,” Levy told TV Guide.

“I would not write him off if I can find a way to bring Justin back at some point.”

Rather than closing the chapter entirely, the producer made it clear that the writers are actively thinking about opportunities to reintroduce him whenever scheduling and storytelling align.

She even hinted at one storyline that readers have been hoping to see.

“We never got a chance to meet Stella,” Levy explained, referring to the woman Justin eventually ends up with in Kennedy’s novels.

“So maybe we’ll find a way to fold him into a future season.”

That brief comment immediately caught the attention of longtime readers.

Stella represents an important part of Justin’s future, and introducing her would allow the television series to continue expanding Briar University’s interconnected world beyond the main couples featured each season.

One of the defining characteristics of Kennedy’s books is that characters rarely disappear after their individual stories conclude.

Instead, they remain close friends whose lives continue overlapping as each new romance takes center stage.

The television adaptation has already embraced that philosophy.

Although Hannah and Garrett headlined Season 1, they are expected to remain active participants in Dean and Allie’s upcoming story rather than fading into the background.

Likewise, Logan, Tucker, and the rest of the hockey team continue playing meaningful roles regardless of which couple occupies the spotlight.

Justin’s eventual return would fit naturally within that structure.

Even though each season shifts focus toward a different romance, the broader community at Briar University remains constant.

That sense of continuity has become one of the adaptation’s greatest strengths.

Rather than functioning as separate love stories loosely connected by the same campus, Off Campus presents a living world where friendships continue evolving alongside romantic relationships.

Levy’s willingness to preserve Justin’s future suggests the writers remain committed to honoring that larger vision.

Heuston himself has also left the possibility open.

In an interview with Variety Australia, the actor acknowledged that numerous factors influence whether a character can return.

“We’ll see,” he said when asked about Justin’s future.

He pointed to everything from scheduling conflicts to the order in which the television series adapts Kennedy’s books.

“Everything from scheduling to storylines to books,” Heuston explained.

“There’s a lot of stories to show in this particular series.”

His comments reinforce what fans have already suspected.

The Off Campus adaptation isn’t following the novels in a strictly chronological order.

Originally, many readers expected Logan’s romance to headline Season 2 since The Mistake follows The Deal in Kennedy’s publication order.

Instead, Prime Video surprised audiences by announcing that Dean and Allie would become the next featured couple.

That creative decision demonstrates the show’s willingness to rearrange storylines whenever doing so better serves the television adaptation.

If the writers are comfortable changing the order of the novels, there’s every reason to believe Justin’s eventual return could happen in unexpected ways as well.

Perhaps his romance will receive its own dedicated storyline.

Perhaps Stella will be introduced gradually across multiple seasons.

Or perhaps Justin will simply reappear as part of the expanding ensemble before eventually stepping into a larger role.

At this stage, all possibilities remain on the table.

Meanwhile, Season 2 has plenty to keep audiences invested.

Dean and Allie’s relationship will finally take center stage after receiving significant development throughout the first season.

Creator Louisa Levy has already teased that the upcoming episodes will include both fan-favorite scenes from The Score and entirely new surprises designed specifically for television audiences.

She has also warned viewers to prepare for a more emotional season, hinting that there will be “lots of tears” ahead.

That emotional direction reflects the source material, where Dean’s story combines humor, romance, and heartbreaking personal loss into one of the series’ most beloved novels.

As production continues, fans remain eager for additional casting announcements, trailers, and an official release date.

While Justin won’t be among the returning faces this time around, his absence doesn’t appear to represent a permanent goodbye.

Instead, it feels more like a temporary pause.

For adaptations of sprawling book series, scheduling conflicts are often unavoidable.

Actors take on new projects, production calendars overlap, and creative plans evolve over time.

What’s important is that neither Levy nor Heuston has ruled out another appearance.

On the contrary, both seem genuinely interested in finding the right opportunity.

That optimism has helped soften the disappointment surrounding Justin’s Season 2 absence.

Readers still hope to see Stella eventually introduced.

Viewers still want Justin’s own love story brought to life.

And the producers clearly recognize that unfinished chapter remains worth telling.

Until then, audiences will simply have to be patient.

Season 2 may belong to Dean and Allie, but the larger Off Campus universe continues growing with every new installment. If the series maintains its current trajectory, there should eventually be room for Justin Kohl to return to Briar University—and finally receive the romantic journey that readers have been waiting to see ever since he first stepped onto campus.