A hidden glance, a tuck of hair behind the ear and a building, aching desire that you feel like you can only relieve with a mild sedative… If Off Campus proves anything, it’s that the yearning man is here to stay.
While the slow burn of Hannah and Garrett’s relationship in the series feels excruciating at times, the anticipation has sent fans into a frenzy. This has earned the adaptation of Elle Kennedy’s novel the top spot on Amazon Prime in Australia and the US.
It’s not the first time the yearning man has dominated our screens in the last year, either. Back in 2025, the internet quickly obsessed over Conrad (almost pathetically, depending on who you ask) pining after Belly in TSITP.
And, who could forget Benedict Bridgerton lusting after his maid Sophie in Bridgerton? Or, hockey rivals Shane Hollander and Ilya Roskanov yearning for each other – albeit aggressively — in Heated Rivalry?
So, what does our newfound obsession with these fictional men say about us?
The yearning man marks a cultural shift
The yearning man’s reign shouldn’t really come as a surprise. Dating app Tinder declared 2026 as the year of yearning, noting that more than 3 in 4 Gen Z singles desire “romantic yearning” in their relationships.
According to expert commentary provided by Lovehoney, sexologist Sarah Lorrimar says our yearning for, well, a yearning man stems from a societal shift.
Where a man who was closed off and emotionless once stood (read: walking red flag, Gossip Girl’s Chuck Bass), a man who isn’t scared to stare you down or give you the space to talk about your emotions stands in his place.
“Male characters in [these series] reflect a growing cultural desire for masculinities that are emotionally open, vulnerable, and expressive, not only with romantic interests, but with friends and even themselves,” Lorrimar says.
“The appeal of the ‘yearning man’ isn’t really about idealising this archetype, but about how these characters navigate desire, identity and relationships on screen.”
The role of women’s desire
Given the growing understanding of how women experience desire, it makes sense that we’re swooning over Hannah and Garrett’s fake relationship.
Beneath the trope, their connection has layers of emotional intimacy and tension that feel real.
“Women often experience a mix of responsive and spontaneous desire,” Lorrimar explains.
“And for many, desire emerges in response to context, connection and stimulation.”
According to Lorrimar, the slow burn creates space for curiosity, with lingering looks and ‘almost’ moments stretching desire out.
The slow burn is the antidote to stress
Lorrimar notes that the slow-paced, thoughtful relationships in shows like Off Campus can feel like an antidote to the stressful and overstimulating nature of life.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, nearly half of Australians report high to very high stress levels. So, do we really need the stress of “fireworks”? Especially when they so often fade into ambiguity without genuine intimacy and communication?
Instead of forcing an instant connection, the safe and predictable nature of the slow burn can allow your nervous system to adjust naturally.
Sure, we can say shows like Off Campus aren’t real. But, they are a very genuine way for us to discover what we want out of a relationship.
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