If you’ve been anywhere near social media in 2026, you’ve almost certainly come across the name Stephen Kalyn. The 28-year-old Canadian actor has quickly become one of streaming’s most talked-about new faces, thanks to his breakout role as Dean Di Laurentis in Amazon Prime Video’s hockey romance series Off Campus. But who exactly is Stephen Kalyn, and how did he go from a rink in Ontario to leading one of the year’s most-watched shows? Here’s everything you need to know.
Who Is Stephen Kalyn?
Stephen Thomas Kalyn was born on April 24, 1998, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, making him a proud Taurus. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 2 inches (1.87 meters), he has the presence to match. Though he plays the blond, charismatic Dean Di Laurentis on screen, Kalyn is actually a brunette in real life — a fun fact that surprises many fans who first encounter him through the show.
Before he ever set foot on a film set, Kalyn had two consuming passions: hockey and storytelling. He grew up playing hockey from the age of six and advanced through the ranks of competitive minor hockey in the Markham, Ontario area, finishing his junior career at the AA tier. “That’s what I wanted to do as a kid and all throughout my adolescence,” he has said of his hockey dreams. But as high school wound down, so did the path toward a professional hockey career. Rather than forcing a future on the ice, Kalyn pivoted — and he did so with remarkable instinct.
His entry into acting came through a school production of Grease, in which he was cast as Danny Zuko. Those after-school rehearsals lit a fire in him. He went on to study filmmaking at Hobart College for two years before committing fully to acting as a profession.
Early Career: Building a Foundation
Kalyn’s early career was a steady accumulation of meaningful credits that laid the groundwork for his current stardom. He first drew public attention in an unusual way: going viral on TikTok for his uncanny impressions of former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It was a lighthearted origin story, but it demonstrated a performer’s instinct for character and timing.
From there, his professional résumé began to grow. He appeared in the medical drama Transplant (2020) and the romantic film The Perfect Wedding (2021), both of which helped him sharpen his craft in front of the camera. He also landed a role in Cascade and starred in the independent feature Warrior Strong, demonstrating a willingness to take on diverse material across the independent film circuit.
One of his most significant early achievements came through the CBC limited series Essex County in 2023, a project that put him on the ice once again — this time professionally. His work on the show as part of a strong ensemble earned him a Canadian Screen Award nomination, a prestigious recognition that signalled to the industry that Kalyn was a serious talent worth watching.
He then expanded his reach within the Amazon Prime Video ecosystem, appearing in the streamer’s reboot of Cruel Intentions as a guest star and earning a recurring role as Greg in Gen V Season 2, the spin-off from the acclaimed superhero satire The Boys. Notably, Kalyn had originally auditioned for the role of Golden Boy in Gen V before landing the Greg role — a detail that speaks to his persistence and adaptability as a performer.
The Breakthrough: Off Campus and Dean Di Laurentis
Everything in Kalyn’s career to this point can be seen as preparation for his role in Off Campus, Amazon Prime Video’s adaptation of Elle Kennedy’s bestselling book series of the same name. The show, which premiered on May 13, 2026, follows the elite ice hockey team at Briar University and the women in their lives as they navigate love, identity, and the turbulence of young adulthood.
Kalyn plays Dean Di Laurentis, described as a loveable party boy and one of the Briar Hawks’ key defensemen. The character is an instant fan favourite in Kennedy’s novels, and Kalyn has brought him to life with a warmth and charisma that has resonated strongly with audiences. Interestingly, Kalyn initially auditioned for the role of John Logan before the casting team redirected him toward Dean — a redirection that now seems almost fated.
The personal connection to the role runs deeper than casting luck. Kalyn’s fiancée, Victoria Lovatsis — his high-school sweetheart whom he began dating in 2012 and got engaged to in 2024 — is a devoted fan of Kennedy’s books and specifically loves the Dean character. It was Victoria who encouraged him to pursue the audition. As Kalyn put it in recounting her motivation: there was simply no other option.
Season 1 of Off Campus centres on Kennedy’s first novel, The Deal, following Hannah and Garrett as the primary couple. But even in a supporting capacity, Kalyn’s Dean Di Laurentis became one of the most discussed characters of the season. Episode six, which gives Dean and Allie’s complicated dynamic its own spotlight, was described by Kalyn himself as a soft launch for what comes next.
Leading Season 2: The Score
Following the success of Season 1, Amazon Prime Video confirmed that Stephen Kalyn and co-star Mika Abdalla will lead Off Campus Season 2. The second installment will adapt Kennedy’s third novel in the series, The Score, which centres squarely on Dean Di Laurentis and Allie Hayes’s romance. For Kalyn, the promotion from ensemble player to leading man is both a validation of his work in Season 1 and a significant new challenge.
In interviews, Kalyn has spoken thoughtfully about the transition. He has credited his Season 1 co-stars Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli — who led the first season as Hannah and Garrett — for teaching him what it means to anchor a show. “I was so grateful to learn from them and watch those two great phenomenal actors lead Season 1,” he has said.
The expanded storytelling scope of Season 2 gives Kalyn the chance to explore the full complexity of Dean Di Laurentis — a character who, on the surface, plays the charming rogue, but who carries considerable emotional depth beneath. For viewers who fell in love with Dean in Season 1, the upcoming season promises a richly satisfying payoff.
Beyond Off Campus: What’s Next for Stephen Kalyn?
Stephen Kalyn shows no signs of slowing down. Several feature film projects are lined up, including Out Standing (directed by Mélanie Charbonneau), Violence (directed by Connor Marsden), Paying For It (directed by Sook-Yin Lee), and Whistle, which also stars Dafne Keene and Sophie Nélisse.
In May 2026, it was announced that Kalyn and Mika Abdalla would star together in Rent Free, a three-episode immersive audio romance produced by Quinn — an audio erotica platform. The project reunites the on-screen couple in a different medium, further demonstrating Kalyn’s range and his chemistry with his Off Campus co-star.
With over 156,000 Instagram followers and growing, a Canadian Screen Award nomination already on his résumé, and one of streaming’s most anticipated second seasons on the horizon, Stephen Kalyn is firmly on the trajectory of a major star. His journey — from competitive hockey player to TikTok viral moment to leading man on a global streaming platform — is the kind of story that feels almost scripted. Except, of course, it isn’t.
Quick Facts: Stephen Kalyn at a Glance
- Full name: Stephen Thomas Kalyn
- Date of birth: April 24, 1998
- Birthplace: Toronto (Markham), Ontario, Canada
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.87 m)
- Notable roles: Dean Di Laurentis (Off Campus), Greg (Gen V Season 2), Cruel Intentions reboot, Transplant, Essex County
- Education: Studied filmmaking at Hobart College
- Partner: Victoria Lovatsis (fiancée, engaged 2024)
- Awards: Canadian Screen Award nomination (ensemble, Essex County)
Stephen Kalyn represents a new generation of Canadian talent making a major mark on global streaming.
