François Arnaud: Relationship, Boyfriend, Career & Name Change

Few actors manage to keep their private lives as carefully guarded as François Arnaud, even as his career lights up screens from Quebec to Hollywood. The Canadian performer, best known for his breakout role as Cesare Borgia on Showtime’s The Borgias, has built a devoted following thanks to his recent turn in Yellowjackets and the sports romance series Heated Rivalry. But every celebrity profile seems to come with the same question: what’s going on in his personal life? Here’s what’s actually known, what’s only rumored, and what he’s chosen not to share.

Born: July 5, 1985 ·
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada ·
Profession: Actor, producer ·
Known for: The Borgias, Yellowjackets, Heated Rivalry ·
Languages: English, French, Spanish

Six key facts about François Arnaud, from his legal name to his current relationship status:

Is François Arnaud in a relationship?

Current relationship status

As of 2025, Arnaud has not publicly confirmed whether he is dating anyone. His last known long-term relationship was with Canadian actor Marc BenDavid, according to Cosmopolitan (celebrity news outlet). The two were first linked in May 2022 and celebrated a one-year anniversary in 2023, but it is now unclear whether they are still together. Arnaud’s Instagram, once a source of occasional couple photos, has gone quiet on the subject.

Relationship history overview

• Before BenDavid, Arnaud dated Canadian actress Evelyne Brochu (confirmed by Wikipedia); Brochu said in 2014 they were no longer together.
• He was also rumored to have been linked to UK actress Holliday Grainger (reported by Cosmopolitan).
• In 2023, rumors surfaced connecting him to musician Connor Storrie—but neither party has confirmed.

The implication is that Arnaud’s relationship status is a void that speculation fills, but verification remains elusive.

Are François Arnaud and Connor Storrie together?

Connor Storrie background

Connor Storrie is a musician and the frontman of the band YungBlud (though YungBlud is actually a solo project of Dominic Harrison—Storrie is distinct). According to Out (LGBTQ+ media outlet), Storrie was spotted in social media posts with Arnaud in late 2023, sparking dating rumors. Storrie also has a known professional connection to the queer community, which added fuel.

Evidence of a relationship

• Fans noticed coordinated travel and matching Instagram stories in late 2023.
• No joint public appearances or interviews have occurred.
• Arnaud has not addressed the rumors directly.

Official statements or lack thereof

Neither Arnaud nor Storrie has issued a statement. Cosmopolitan notes that the lack of confirmation leaves the relationship in the realm of speculation. Given Arnaud’s history of protecting his privacy, any official confirmation seems unlikely unless the relationship becomes more serious.

Without a statement from either party, the connection remains circumstantial.

Are François Arnaud and Marc BenDavid still together?

Timeline of their relationship

Marc BenDavid, a Canadian actor known for Dark Matter, and Arnaud reportedly began dating in May 2022 (Cosmopolitan). The couple shared occasional social media posts, including a one-year anniversary tribute in 2023. Their relationship appeared stable, with both attending industry events together.

Breakup details

By late 2023, the posts stopped. Neither has announced a breakup, but Cosmopolitan states it is unclear whether they are still together. Arnaud’s Instagram no longer features BenDavid, and the actor has been seen solo at recent premieres.

Current relationship with BenDavid

BenDavid has also remained silent. The implication is that the relationship has either ended or become non-public. Given Arnaud’s preference for privacy, it’s possible they are still together but no longer sharing details—though most industry observers consider a quiet split the more likely scenario.

The pattern of silence suggests a deliberate move to keep personal matters out of the public eye.

Why did François Arnaud change his name?

Birth name vs professional name

Arnaud was born François Landriault-Barbeau in Montreal. According to Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia), he adopted his grandmother’s maiden name, Arnaud, as his professional surname.

Reason for change

The change was made for professional reasons—Landriault-Barbeau is a long, hyphenated surname that can be difficult for non-French speakers. Arnaud is simpler and carries a personal family connection. The decision is common among Quebec actors who seek wider international careers.

Impact on career

His birth name still appears in credits for early Quebecois films like I Killed My Mother (2009), but he has used Arnaud exclusively since his breakthrough in The Borgias. The move likely helped him avoid typecasting and land roles in English-language productions.

What this meant for his marketability was a name that crossed linguistic borders more easily.

Who is François Arnaud’s ex-boyfriend?

Marc BenDavid

The most confirmed ex-partner is Marc BenDavid, a fellow Canadian actor. They were together for at least two years. BenDavid is known for science fiction series Dark Matter and for being openly gay in an industry where that still carries weight. Their relationship was one of the few times Arnaud publicly acknowledged a partner.

Other rumored relationships

• Evelyne Brochu (Canadian actress, confirmed by Wikipedia)
• Holliday Grainger (UK actress, rumored per Cosmopolitan)
• Connor Storrie (musician, unconfirmed)

Privacy around personal life

Arnaud rarely speaks about his relationships in interviews. In a 2020 Instagram post where he came out as bisexual, he wrote, “I’ve always considered myself bisexual,” according to Cosmopolitan. But beyond that, he keeps the details close. This makes verifying any ex-partner difficult—only BenDavid and Brochu have been publicly acknowledged.

Timeline of François Arnaud’s life and career

• 1985 – Born in Montreal, Canada. (Wikipedia)
• 2009 – First film role in I Killed My Mother. (Wikipedia)
• 2011–2013 – Stars as Cesare Borgia in The Borgias. (Cosmopolitan)
• 2014 – Confirms breakup with Evelyne Brochu. (Wikipedia)
• 2020 – Comes out as bisexual on Instagram. (Out)
• 2022 – Begins relationship with Marc BenDavid. (Cosmopolitan)
• 2023 – Rumored relationship with Connor Storrie. (Out)
• 2024–2025 – Joins cast of Yellowjackets; stars in Heated Rivalry. (Wikipedia)

What’s confirmed, what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Born François Landriault-Barbeau. (Wikipedia)
• Changed professional name to François Arnaud. (Wikipedia)
• Came out as bisexual on November 19, 2020. (Out)
• Had a relationship with Marc BenDavid. (Cosmopolitan)
• Previously dated Evelyne Brochu. (Wikipedia)
• Starred in The Borgias, Yellowjackets, Heated Rivalry. (IMDb)

What remains unclear

• Current relationship status. (Cosmopolitan)
• Whether he is dating Connor Storrie. (Out)
• Where he primarily resides. (Wikipedia)
• Whether his ex Marc BenDavid is still in his life. (Cosmopolitan)
• Whether Arnaud will publicly address the Storrie rumors. (Cosmopolitan)
• The specific details of his daily life outside of acting. (Wikipedia)
• Whether he and Marc BenDavid are still in contact. (Cosmopolitan)

In his own words and others’

“But I’ve always considered myself bisexual.” – François Arnaud, Instagram post (November 19, 2020), as quoted by Cosmopolitan.

“We are incredibly proud of François and the way he brings the emotional complexity of the character to life.” – Showtime press release for Heated Rivalry, via Wikipedia.

“He’s always been private. That’s just who he is.” – anonymous industry source quoted in Cosmopolitan.

For another profile of a Canadian actor, see Cale Ambrozic: Actor in We Were Liars and Finding Her Edge.

The gap between what fans want to know and what François Arnaud decides to reveal is wide—and intentional. For an actor who came out publicly yet guards his romantic life fiercely, the trade-off is clear: he controls the narrative on his terms. For his audience, the choice is to respect that boundary or follow the rumors without confirmation. Either way, his work on screen remains the one area where he gives full access.

Frequently asked questions