'Off Campus' star Ella Bright surprised by secret Niall Horan duet on soundtrack

Off Campus star Ella Bright was left speechless after discovering that Niall Horan had secretly recorded a duet with her for the series' newly released soundtrack, Off Campus: The Mixtape (Extra Credit).

The actress, who plays music student Hannah Wells in Prime Video's hit adaptation of Elle Kennedy's bestselling novels, had no idea Horan had added his vocals to her rendition of Baby Now That I Found You until the finished track was played to her for the first time.

In a video capturing the surprise, Horan introduced the song with a pre-recorded message.

"You don't know this yet, but you're about to listen to our version of 'Baby Now That I Found You.'"

Bright's reaction was immediate, with the actress visibly stunned before comparing the duet to Horan's 2016 debut solo single This Town.

"That's my favourite song," she said. "I'm obsessed. That's so beautiful."

The surprise collaboration marks Horan's first new release since his fourth studio album, Dinner Party, earlier this year.

Music has always been central to Hannah's character in Off Campus. Before the series premiered, Prime Video released an official playlist curated for Hannah, featuring songs by Olivia Rodrigo, The 1975, SZA and multiple tracks by One Direction, including Steal My Girl and Where Do Broken Hearts Go.

"Music is everything to Hannah, and these songs helped me find and understand her voice," Bright previously said about the playlist.

Author Elle Kennedy has also praised Bright's musical talent, saying the actress perfectly captured Hannah's passion.

"Ella is magnetic. When you see her, you feel this joy. She's so talented and she brought Hannah's dedication to music."

One Direction has become a recurring part of Off Campus itself. In one episode, Josh Heuston's character Justin performs the band's hit Kiss You during a charity fundraiser, while another scene briefly reveals Hannah's Spotify account featuring an entire playlist dedicated to One Direction. She also fondly recalls writing "so eloquently about the harmonic vocal identities in the work of One Direction."

For Horan, the duet represents an unexpected crossover between his music career and one of streaming's biggest young adult series. For Bright, it was an emotional surprise that she didn't see coming, one made even more meaningful by the fact that she has long counted Horan and One Direction among her favourite artists.