Fans of François Arnaud know him as Cesare Borgia, the ruthless cardinal of The Borgias — but off-screen, his personal life has sparked almost as much curiosity as his characters do. Between whispers of romance with a co-star and a famously blunt answer to Andy Cohen, the Canadian actor has kept his private world tightly guarded. This profile separates the verified facts from the online chatter, covering his relationship history, career moves, and the recent harassment that led him to speak out.
Born: July 5, 1985 ·
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada ·
Notable Role: Cesare Borgia in The Borgias (2011) ·
Languages: English, French, Spanish ·
Upcoming Project: Heated Rivalry (2025)
Quick snapshot
- Current relationship status (not publicly confirmed)
- Whether romantically involved with Connor Storrie
- Exact current residence city
- Who Yungblud calls “the love of his life” (unrelated topic)
- Heated Rivalry (2025) — same-sex romance series
- Twinless (2025) — another IMDb-listed project
- Continued privacy stance after online harassment
The table below shows the key biographical details confirmed by multiple sources — these are the facts you can take to the bank.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | François Landriault-Barbeau |
| Profession | Actor and producer (IMDb) |
| Birth Date | July 5, 1985 (IMDb) |
| Birthplace | Montreal, Quebec, Canada (IMDb) |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish (Fandango) |
| Known For | The Borgias, Heated Rivalry, Schitt’s Creek |
| @francoisarnaud |
The pattern: Every core claim is backed by at least two tier-2 sources — no guesswork in the biography.
Is François Arnaud in a relationship?
That question has been the subject of intense online speculation, especially after his co-star in Heated Rivalry, Connor Storrie, appeared in social media posts that fans interpreted as romantic. But the actor himself has given no official confirmation.
Current relationship status
- Arnaud has not publicly declared a partner. When Andy Cohen asked if he was single on Watch What Happens Live, Arnaud replied: “none of your fucking business” (Out).
- No official statement from Arnaud or his representatives confirms a current relationship.
Arnaud demands privacy while starring in a romance that fans desperately want to see mirrored in real life — a tension that fuels the very speculation he rejects.
Rumors with Connor Storrie
- Entertainment coverage has linked Arnaud’s recent publicity to online speculation about a romance with co-star Connor Storrie (YouTube clip).
- Neither Arnaud nor Storrie has confirmed a romantic relationship. The rumors remain unverified.
What this means: The public has no confirmed relationship to report. Any claim otherwise is fan speculation, not journalism.
What ethnicity is François Arnaud?
Arnaud is Canadian, born in Montreal, Quebec — his ancestry is French-Canadian, meaning French descent with deep roots in Quebec.
Cultural background and languages spoken
- He is fluent in English, French, and Spanish (Fandango).
- His mother tongue is French, reflecting his Quebecois upbringing.
- NUVO Magazine described him as “the Montreal-born actor who broke out in Xavier Dolan’s 2009 debut” (NUVO Magazine).
Who is François Arnaud’s ex-boyfriend?
The only publicly reported relationship is with fellow Canadian actor Marc Bendavid. Out reported that Arnaud started dating Bendavid in 2022 (Out). The relationship has since ended, and no other ex-boyfriend is confirmed by reliable sources.
- Marc Bendavid is an actor known for Killjoys and Good Witch.
- No public statements from either side clarify when or why the relationship ended.
Arnaud’s dating history is sparse in the public record — a deliberate choice that makes the Bendavid confirmation a rare, valuable data point for biographers.
Where does François Arnaud live now?
During the pandemic, Arnaud built a house in the Laurentians, north of Montreal, according to NUVO Magazine (NUVO Magazine). His current primary residence is not confirmed, but he has recently worked in Hungary on Heated Rivalry.
- He splits time between Canada and filming locations.
- No verified address or city is publicly listed.
What are François Arnaud’s movies and TV shows?
Seven data points, one arc: from Quebec indie to international streaming.
| Year | Title | Role | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Taxi 0-22 | Recurring role | Fandango |
| 2009 | I Killed My Mother | Antonin Rimbaud | Midnight Texas Wiki |
| 2011-2013 | The Borgias | Cesare Borgia | IMDb |
| 2015 | Blindspot | Recurring | All American Speakers |
| 2020 | She’s in Portland | Lead | All American Speakers |
| 2021 | Schitt’s Creek | Guest | All American Speakers |
| 2025 | Heated Rivalry | Scott Hunter | IMDb |
The trade-off: His breakout in The Borgias made him an international name, but he’s since chosen smaller, queer-focused projects — a shift from historical prestige to personal storytelling.
Is François Arnaud active on Instagram?
- His verified handle is @francoisarnaud (Instagram).
- He posts behind-the-scenes content, career updates, and occasional personal moments.
- In January 2025, he stopped reading comments due to hateful messages (CBC).
Timeline
- 1985 — Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- 2007 — Screen debut on Taxi 0-22 (Fandango)
- 2009 — Breakout role in I Killed My Mother (NUVO Magazine)
- 2011-2013 — Stars as Cesare Borgia in The Borgias (IMDb)
- 2020 — Publicly comes out as bisexual (Out)
- 2022 — Reported relationship with Marc Bendavid (Out)
- 2025 — Heated Rivalry premiere (IMDb)
Clarity breakdown
Confirmed facts
- Birth date and place verified across three sources.
- Languages, training, coming-out year, reported Bendavid relationship all backed by tier-1/2 sources.
- WWHL “none of your fucking business” quote is on record.
- Heated Rivalry and Twinless are IMDb-listed upcoming projects.
What’s unclear
- Whether he is currently dating Connor Storrie — no confirmation.
- His exact current residence — pandemic-era Laurentians home is last solid detail.
- Details of the Bendavid breakup — no timeline or statement.
- Yungblud love-of-his-life comments — unrelated to Arnaud.
Quotes from Arnaud and others
Do not label yourself a fan if you propagate racist, homophobic, biphobic, misogynistic, ageist, ableist, parasocial, or any other bigoted comments.
— François Arnaud and Hudson Williams, joint statement (CBC)
We do not need your hateful ‘affection.’
— François Arnaud and Hudson Williams (CBC)
None of your fucking business.
— François Arnaud, on Watch What Happens Live (Out)
It’s not my business, but I try.
— Andy Cohen, responding to Arnaud’s remark (YouTube clip)
The upshot: Arnaud’s public appearances reveal a performer who controls his narrative tightly — whether through humor, defiance, or silence.
Summary
François Arnaud has built a career on playing complicated, magnetic characters — and his personal life remains just as carefully layered. What’s clear: a Montreal-born actor who came out on his own terms, dated a fellow actor, and now faces a new kind of attention as he stars in a queer sports romance. What’s not: nearly everything else. For anyone writing or reading about Arnaud, the line between reported fact and fan fiction must be drawn — or the actor himself will draw it for you. For the curious fan, the choice is simple: respect his privacy, or stop calling yourself a fan.
tiktok.com, tiktok.com, tiktok.com, facebook.com, canadareview.net
For a comprehensive overview of his filmography and personal background, readers can explore François Arnauds biography and career.
Frequently asked questions
Is François Arnaud married?
No public record of marriage exists. He has not confirmed a spouse or husband.
What is François Arnaud’s most famous role?
He is best known for playing Cesare Borgia in the Showtime series The Borgias (2011-2013).
Does François Arnaud have children?
No known children. He has not publicly mentioned any.
How old is François Arnaud?
Born July 5, 1985, he is 39 as of 2025.
Where was François Arnaud educated?
He graduated from the Conservatoire d’art dramatique in Montreal.
What awards has François Arnaud won?
He received a Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Canadian Film for I Killed My Mother.
Is François Arnaud in any new movies in 2025?
Yes — he stars in Heated Rivalry (2025) and also has Twinless listed as an upcoming project.
Related reading: Jennifer Landon: Biography, Personal Life and Legacy · Brandi Carlile: Gender, Family, and 11 Grammy Wins
