François Arnaud

Early Life and Training

François Arnaud was born on July 5, 1985, in Montreal, Quebec, into a French Canadian family. His early exposure to the performing arts came at age nine when he saw a production of Cyrano de Bergerac, an experience that inspired him to try learning the monologues himself. He pursued his education at Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, from which he graduated with an arts degree. To hone his craft, Arnaud undertook formal training at the prestigious Conservatoire d'art dramatique de Montréal, a key institution for Quebecois actors. This foundational education in both academic and practical theatre prepared him for the professional challenges of a bilingual acting career in Canada and internationally.

Breakthrough in Film and Television

Arnaud's professional career began in Quebec television with a role on the French Canadian comedy series Taxi 0-22 in 2008. His major breakthrough came the following year when he was cast as Antonin Rimbaud in Xavier Dolan's debut feature, I Killed My Mother . The film premiered in the Director's Fortnight section of the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and became an award-winning critical success. He has credited this role with helping him secure an agent in Hollywood, which led to auditions for larger international projects. This early success established him as a compelling dramatic actor capable of handling complex, emotionally charged material.

Major Television Roles and Wider Recognition

Arnaud gained significant international exposure with his portrayal of the ruthless Cesare Borgia in the Showtime historical drama series The Borgias, which aired from 2011 to 2013. This role demonstrated his ability to command a period piece and work within a large ensemble cast. He later appeared in episodes of series like Blindspot and had a memorable guest role as Sebastien Raine, David's ex-boyfriend, on the beloved Canadian sitcom Schitt's Creek. From 2017 to 2018, he starred as the psychic Manfred Bernardo in the NBC supernatural drama Midnight, Texas, a role he filmed over five months in Albuquerque, where he enjoyed exploring the nearby mountains and waterfalls. He also played Dan Moody for two seasons of the comedy series The Moodys until its conclusion in 2021. His television career reached a new peak in 2025 when he was cast as ice hockey player Scott Hunter in the Crave original series Heated Rivalry, based on Rachel Reid's popular Game Changers book series. His performance, particularly in the third episode titled "Hunter," was met with substantial critical praise and introduced him to a new, wide audience. The series solidified his status as a leading man in Canadian television and demonstrated his skill in the sports romance genre.

Film Career and Theatrical Work

Beyond his television work, Arnaud has maintained a steady presence in independent and Canadian cinema. Following I Killed My Mother, he appeared in films such as Jean of the Joneses (2016) and the psychologically demanding French-Canadian sci-fi thriller Origami (2017), which was shot in his hometown of Montreal. The intensity of the Origami shoot was so great that he could not work for a month afterwards and retreated to a cabin in the woods. Other film credits include She's in Portland (2020), Rapid Eye Movement (2019) where he played a radio DJ filmed in a Times Square glass booth, and the psychological thriller Mom, in which he starred opposite his Schitt's Creek colleague Emily Hampshire after she insisted on his casting. The year 2025 was particularly busy for his film career, with roles in three distinct projects. Fucktoys, directed by Annapurna Sriram, premiered at the South by Southwest festival. Twinless, directed by James Sweeney, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. He also completed work on Wiebke von Carolsfeld's forthcoming drama Someone's Daughter. In 2026, Arnaud expanded his repertoire to the stage, announcing he would join David Corenswet and Yvonne Strahovski in a Broadway revival of Three Days of Rain, where he is set to portray the characters Pip and Theo.

Recent Projects and Brand Work

Arnaud's career continues to evolve with high-profile projects across multiple media. In June 2026, he was cast in a recurring role as Danny in the upcoming Hulu limited series Count My Lies, appearing opposite Lindsay Lohan. That same month, his casting in the Broadway revival of Three Days of Rain was formally announced, marking a significant step into live theatre. In a move that bridges his athletic Heated Rivalry role with commercial endorsements, Arnaud was named a global brand ambassador for the American sportswear company Under Armour in July 2026. He also appeared in the 2024 music video for "How Far Will We Take It?" by Orville Peck and Noah Cyrus, demonstrating his continued connection to popular culture and music.

Selected Filmography

The following table highlights a selection of François Arnaud's notable film and television work, illustrating the range and timeline of his career. His first television role was on the French Canadian comedy series Taxi 0-22 in 2008. He gained wider recognition for portraying Cesare Borgia in The Borgias from 2011 to 2013 and later starred as Manfred Bernardo in Midnight, Texas from 2017 to 2018. More recently, he has played Scott Hunter in the sports romance series Heated Rivalry starting in 2025. His film roles include appearances in I Killed My Mother, Jean of the Joneses, Origami, and the 2025 films Twinless and Fucktoys.

Personal Life and Public Persona

Arnaud is fluent in both French and English, a key asset for his cross-border career. He learned Spanish in high school and later improved his proficiency while traveling in Latin America with the help of a Chilean girlfriend, though he noted he had not used the language for a decade prior to his role in the film Amapola. In terms of his personal life, Arnaud has been open about his relationships. He dated actress Evelyne Brochu from 2012 to 2014. In September 2020, he came out publicly as bisexual. In May 2023, he announced that he had been in a relationship with actor Marc Bendavid for a year. This openness has contributed to his public image as an authentic and grounded figure within the entertainment industry.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, François Arnaud has received recognition from Canadian critical bodies for his acting work. This early accolade helped establish his reputation as a serious talent. He has also been nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards. The critical praise for his lead role in Heated Rivalry suggests his work continues to be held in high regard by audiences and critics alike. His career trajectory from a VFCC award winner to a leading man in a major Canadian series illustrates his sustained relevance and skill.

Key milestones and recognitions in Arnaud's career include the following. He won a Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Canadian Film for his role in I Killed My Mother. He has also received nominations for two Canadian Screen Awards. His performance in the 2025 series Heated Rivalry was met with critical praise, particularly for his work in the episode titled Hunter. In July 2026, he was named a global brand ambassador for the sportswear company Under Armour.

• 2009: Breakthrough film role in I Killed My Mother, premiering at the Cannes Film Festival.
• 2011 to 2013: Starred as Cesare Borgia in the Showtime series The Borgias.
• 2019: Guest-starred as Sebastien Raine on the hit series Schitt's Creek.
• 2020: Publicly came out as bisexual in September.
• 2025: Began starring as Scott Hunter in the Crave series Heated Rivalry.
• 2026: Cast in the Hulu series Count My Lies and the Broadway revival of Three Days of Rain.
• 2026: Named a global brand ambassador for Under Armour in July.

Questions about François Arnaud

What is François Arnaud best known for?

François Arnaud is best known for several key roles across film and television. He first gained critical acclaim for his part in Xavier Dolan's 2009 film I Killed My Mother. He achieved international recognition playing Cesare Borgia on the Showtime series The Borgias from 2011 to 2013. More recently, he has garnered wider fame and praise for his lead role as hockey player Scott Hunter in the Canadian sports romance series Heated Rivalry, which began airing in 2025.

Is François Arnaud bilingual?

Yes, François Arnaud is fully bilingual in French and English, which has been instrumental to his career in both Quebec and Hollywood. He is a native French speaker from Montreal. His fluency in English allowed him to transition to major English-language television series like The Borgias and Midnight, Texas. He also learned Spanish in high school and improved it while traveling in Latin America, though he has noted his proficiency lapsed before using it for a film role.

What recent projects has François Arnaud been involved in?

Recent projects highlight François Arnaud's busy and diverse career. In 2025, he began starring in the Crave series Heated Rivalry and appeared in the films Fucktoys and Twinless. In 2026, he was cast in the Hulu series Count My Lies and announced his Broadway debut in a revival of Three Days of Rain. Also in July 2026, he was named a global brand ambassador for the sportswear company Under Armour.

Has François Arnaud publicly discussed his sexuality?

Yes, François Arnaud has been open about his sexuality in recent years. He came out as bisexual in a public statement in September 2020. In May 2023, he further shared that he had been in a relationship with fellow actor Marc Bendavid for approximately one year. Prior to this, he was publicly known to have dated actress Evelyne Brochu from 2012 to 2014.

What awards has François Arnaud won?

François Arnaud has won a Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Canadian Film. He received this accolade for his performance in the 2009 film I Killed My Mother. This award is a significant professional recognition from the Canadian film industry. In addition to this win, his career achievements include nominations for two Canadian Screen Awards. These nominations further highlight the critical regard for his acting work. The Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award specifically helped him secure an agent in Hollywood, which expanded his career opportunities.

What was François Arnaud's role in Schitt's Creek?

François Arnaud guest starred in an episode of Schitt's Creek as Sebastien Raine. Sebastien Raine is David Rose's ex-boyfriend and a photographer. This role connected him with co-star Emily Hampshire, whom he later worked with again on the film Mom. His casting in Mom occurred because Emily Hampshire would only accept her role if Arnaud played her husband. This single television appearance therefore had a direct impact on his subsequent film projects and professional relationships within the industry.

Sources and further reading

• François Arnaud (Wikipedia)
• François Arnaud Movies & TV Shows List (rottentomatoes.com)
• Heated Rivalry's François Arnaud Is Hollywood's Quiet ... (nuvomagazine.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-07.