“Off Campus”’ Stephen Kalyn Admits Nude Scenes Were Sometimes ‘Uncomfortable’

**Kalyn and Abdalla Discuss Pushing Boundaries in ‘Off Campus’ at Obsessed Fest**

At the recent Obsessed Fest hosted by Prime Video in Los Angeles, cast members of the popular series “Off Campus” shared personal insights into their experiences on the show. Among them was Stephen Kalyn, who portrays Dean Di Laurentis. During a panel discussion on 27 June, Kalyn expressed how pushing his boundaries while filming gave him newfound confidence.

Kalyn, who appeared shirtless in a significant number of scenes, candidly shared his initial discomfort. “It was a little awkward at first, but as I became more accustomed to it, I learned to embrace the experience,” he revealed. This transformation not only helped him adjust to the demands of the role but also instilled a sense of empowerment. “Now, I feel like I’m ready to conquer the world,” he added.

Mika Abdalla, who plays Allie Hayes, also recounted a particularly challenging moment during the filming process. She described her apprehension before shooting a karaoke scene, where her character performs a raucous rendition of “Take Me or Leave Me” from the musical Rent. Abdalla admitted, “Singing in front of literally all my friends was uncomfortable.” Her character’s exuberant energy starkly contrasted Abdalla’s natural disposition, making the performance even more daunting for her.

Kalyn and Abdalla’s characters developed a romantic relationship midway through the first season. Abdalla recalled how she felt a strong connection with Kalyn during their chemistry read, stating, “From the moment we performed together, it was clear that he was meant to be Dean.” This early understanding was pivotal, but their friendship took time to cultivate.

Abdalla humorously noted that when they first met, Kalyn was quite intimidated by her. “I have a pretty tough resting face sometimes, and I don’t think that little sweet boy from Toronto was equipped to handle that,” she shared. However, a turning point came when Abdalla confronted him about their seemingly distant dynamic. “I told him that I thought we had more scenes together, and he honestly admitted that he was afraid of me,” she recalled, noting that this openness was the catalyst for their close friendship.

Their dynamic has evolved into a brother-sister relationship, filled with mutual understanding and support. Abdalla described Kalyn as a combination of strength and vulnerability, highlighting how their contrasting personalities contributed to their on-screen chemistry and off-screen bond.

As “Off Campus” progresses into its second season, viewers can expect to explore Dean and Allie’s story further. Showrunner Louisa Levy shared that the upcoming season will centre around the third book in Elle Kennedy’s series, titled “The Score,” which focuses specifically on the romance between these characters. Interestingly, Levy initially planned to dedicate a separate episode to their relationship. However, after adjusting the season’s format to eight episodes, she opted to weave their love story into the first season for a more organic integration.

Levy explained, “Allie and Hannah are already best friends, which means their connection feels natural. Since Dean lives in the off-campus house, he naturally fits into that dynamic.” The decision to keep Dean and Allie’s romance a secret initially was a deliberate choice to maintain suspense for the audience.

All eight episodes of “Off Campus” are now available for streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, providing fans with the opportunity to indulge in the characters’ intertwined stories that challenge their boundaries both on and off screen. Kalyn and Abdalla’s reflections at the festival underscore the personal growth that comes with exploring new experiences, making the series not only entertaining but also deeply relatable.