Josh Heuston adds music to Justin Kohl in Off Campus
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- Josh Heuston portrays Justin Kohl in Season 1 of the Prime Video adaptation of Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus series.
- Justin Kohl fronts the band After Hours in the show, a change from the books where he is not musical.
- Josh Heuston said he wanted to give Justin “a heart” and avoid the typical “bad boy on campus” archetype, aiming for audience empathy.
- Josh Heuston learned guitar and piano for the role and performed covers of Ariana Grande, P!nk, One Direction and the original track “Yellow Haze.”
- Josh Heuston assembled a playlist for his character, featuring songs such as Future’s “Thought It Was a Drought,” Kings of Leon’s “Revelry,” and Royel Otis, which appear in the series.
- Justin Kohl and Hannah Wells collaborate on a song for the Pop Music Showcase, after which Hannah rejects Justin and asks to start over.
- Josh Heuston expressed pride in the show and openness to future seasons.
Why it matters: Heuston’s musical take on Justin Kohl gives the Off Campus series a fresh hook that may draw music‑loving audiences and showcase the actor’s new instrumental talent, while the departure from the book’s non‑musical portrayal could alienate purist fans expecting a faithful adaptation.
