
François Arnaud – Biography, Movies, and Personal Life
François Arnaud is a Canadian actor who first caught international attention playing the ambitious and ruthless Cesare Borgia in Showtime’s historical drama The Borgias. Born in Montreal, Quebec, on July 5, 1985, he began his career in French Canadian television before crossing into English-language productions. In 2025, his role as Scott Hunter in the adaptation of Rachel Reid’s novel Heated Rivalry brought a new wave of public interest, alongside persistent questions about his personal life and relationship status.
Arnaud’s path from Quebecois comedy series to period dramas and contemporary romance reflects a deliberate range few actors achieve. Trained at the Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Montréal, he is fluent in English, French, and Spanish — a skill that has opened doors to both Canadian and international projects. With a filmography spanning more than fifteen years, he remains one of the quieter chameleons in the industry.
Much of the current search volume around him stems from two distinct sources: the anticipation surrounding Heated Rivalry and the widespread speculation about his relationship with actor and YouTube personality Connor Storrie. Neither Arnaud nor Storrie has publicly confirmed a romantic partnership, leaving fans to piece together clues from social media.
Who Is François Arnaud?
| Full Name | Birth Date | Age | Place of Birth | Known For | Partner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| François Landriault-Barbeau | July 5, 1985 | 39 (as of 2025) | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | The Borgias, Heated Rivalry | Connor Storrie (rumored, unconfirmed) |
- François Arnaud is a Canadian actor best known for his role as Cesare Borgia in Showtime’s The Borgias.
- As of 2025, his highest-profile upcoming project is Heated Rivalry, generating significant fan interest.
- Public interest centers heavily on his personal life, particularly rumors regarding a relationship with Connor Storrie, though no official confirmation exists.
- Arnaud is fluent in three languages (English, French, Spanish) and graduated from Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Montréal.
- Despite user confusion, François Arnaud did not appear in Schitt’s Creek (often confused with other Canadian actors).
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Profession | Actor, Producer |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish |
| Height | 6′ 2″ (1.88 m) per IMDb |
| Years Active | 2008–present |
| Training | Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Montréal |
| Real Name | François Landriault-Barbeau |
| Nationality | French Canadian |
| @francoisarnaud |
What Are François Arnaud’s Most Famous Movies and TV Shows?
What role did he play in The Borgias?
Arnaud portrayed Cesare Borgia, the ambitious cardinal and son of Pope Alexander VI, in Showtime’s The Borgias from 2011 to 2013. The role became his international breakthrough and remains one of the most searched aspects of his career.
Did he appear in Schitt’s Creek?
No. This is a frequent point of confusion. Arnaud did not appear as a cast member in Schitt’s Creek. He met actress Emily Hampshire while working on the show — according to a Wikipedia summary, she accepted a role in Mom only if Arnaud played her husband — but he was not part of the Schitt’s Creek ensemble.
The confusion likely arises because both Schitt’s Creek and Arnaud are Canadian, and he shares a resemblance to actor Marc Bendavid, who has appeared in similar genres.
Is François Arnaud in Heated Rivalry?
Yes. In 2025, Arnaud plays Scott Hunter in the adaptation of Rachel Reid’s popular romance novel Heated Rivalry. The series has generated considerable attention from both existing fans of the book and new audiences drawn by Arnaud’s casting. According to Nuvo Magazine, the role marks a significant moment in his career, aligning with the growing market for LGBTQ+ romance adaptations.
Other notable films and TV shows
Arnaud’s filmography includes Xavier Dolan’s I Killed My Mother (2009), Jean of the Joneses (2016), Origami (2017), Marlowe (2022), Twinless (2025), and Fucktoys (2025). On television, he has appeared in Blindspot, Midnight, Texas (as Manfred Bernardo), The Moodys, and the French Canadian series Taxi 0-22 and Yamaska. His early work in Quebec laid the foundation for his later international roles.
Is François Arnaud Married or in a Relationship?
Who is his partner?
The most commonly named person in connection with Arnaud is Connor Storrie, an actor and YouTube personality. Social media posts have led fans to speculate that the two are in a relationship, but neither Arnaud nor Storrie has publicly confirmed a romantic partnership. A source from Famous Birthdays mentions a past romantic link to actress Évelyne Brochu, but this too is unverified in official channels.
Does he have a husband or wife?
As of this writing, Arnaud is not publicly known to be married. No marriage certificate or public announcement exists. In 2020, All American Speakers reported that he came out as bisexual, but the accuracy of that report has not been independently confirmed by other reputable outlets.
Fan speculation should not be mistaken for fact. None of the relationship rumors — with Connor Storrie or others — have been confirmed by Arnaud or his representatives. The absence of a clear, verified relationship section on Wikipedia has driven much of the search traffic to lower-authority sites.
Where Can You Find François Arnaud on Social Media?
Arnaud maintains an active Instagram presence under the handle @francoisarnaud. As of 2025, he has not publicly listed other official social media accounts such as Twitter or Facebook. His Instagram feed includes personal photos, behind-the-scenes content from his projects, and occasional interactions with fans. For real-time updates, that platform remains the most direct source.
Many fan accounts and impersonators exist online. The only verified Instagram account is @francoisarnaud.
François Arnaud’s Career Timeline
- 1985 — Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- 2008 — Began professional acting career, appearing in Quebec television.
- 2009 — Film breakthrough with Xavier Dolan’s I Killed My Mother.
- 2011–2013 — Played Cesare Borgia in Showtime’s The Borgias.
- 2017–2018 — Starred as Manfred Bernardo in NBC’s Midnight, Texas.
- 2022 — Appeared in the film Marlowe alongside Liam Neeson.
- 2025 — Portrayed Scott Hunter in Heated Rivalry, with additional film releases Twinless and Fucktoys.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| François Arnaud’s real name is François Landriault-Barbeau. | His relationship with Connor Storrie is widely speculated but not officially confirmed. |
| He was born July 5, 1985 in Montreal and is a French Canadian citizen. | Exact height is not listed on Wikipedia; IMDb lists 6′ 2″ (1.88 m) but no official confirmation. |
| He played Cesare Borgia in The Borgias. | The report that he came out as bisexual in 2020 has not been verified by multiple independent sources. |
| He is active on Instagram (@francoisarnaud). | Whether he will publicly address relationship rumors during the Heated Rivalry press tour remains unknown. |
| He did not appear in Schitt’s Creek. | — |
Why Is There Sudden Interest in François Arnaud?
François Arnaud’s spike in search volume is directly linked to his casting in Heated Rivalry, an adaptation of Rachel Reid’s novel that has a passionate fan base within the sports romance and LGBTQ+ fandom communities. The high volume of relationship queries reflects a phenomenon commonly observed when actors take on prominent queer roles — fans often seek to connect the performer’s personal life with the character’s narrative.
Additionally, some keyword traffic comes from confusion with fellow Canadian actor Marc Bendavid and French politician François Bayrou, though these are not central to Arnaud’s profile. The absence of a clear, verified relationship section on Wikipedia leaves a content gap that drives users to speculative sources. According to TV Insider, Arnaud’s multilingual abilities and French Canadian roots also make him a figure of interest in both English and French media markets.
Where to Find Verified Information
For the most reliable biographical details, Wikipedia remains the primary source for his professional credits and career timeline. IMDb offers a comprehensive filmography and technical details, including height and credits. Rotten Tomatoes provides aggregated career overviews and critical reception data. For personal updates and direct content, his Instagram profile is the only officially confirmed social media channel.
What’s Next for François Arnaud?
With Heated Rivalry premiering in 2025, fans can expect increased promotional activity, including interviews and public appearances. Whether Arnaud will clarify his relationship status remains to be seen. For those interested in his full body of work, a detailed filmography guide is available — see Hunter Schafer Movies and TV Shows – Full Filmography Guide for a similar actor profile format.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is François Arnaud’s Instagram handle?
@francoisarnaud
Is François Arnaud in Schitt’s Creek?
No. This is a common confusion. He did not appear in Schitt’s Creek.
What is François Arnaud’s height?
IMDb lists 6′ 2″ (1.88 m), but Wikipedia does not include height. Fan estimates vary.
Who is Connor Storrie to François Arnaud?
Connor Storrie is an actor and YouTube personality. The two are rumored to be partners based on social media posts, but neither has publicly confirmed a romantic relationship.
Does François Arnaud have a wife or husband?
He is not publicly known to be married. His current relationship status is unconfirmed.
What is François Arnaud’s real name?
His birth name is François Landriault-Barbeau.
What role did he play in The Borgias?
He played Cesare Borgia, the cardinal son of Pope Alexander VI.
Is François Arnaud in Heated Rivalry?
Yes, he plays Scott Hunter in the 2025 adaptation.
What languages does François Arnaud speak?
He is fluent in English, French, and Spanish.
How old is François Arnaud?
He was born on July 5, 1985, making him 39 as of 2025.