François Arnaud, the Canadian actor who plays Scott Hunter in the hit series Heated Rivalry, has secured a new role. Deadline confirmed on June 15, 2026, that Arnaud has joined the cast of Hulu’s upcoming limited series Count My Lies in a recurring capacity.
Arnaud, 40, will play Danny, a friend to Lindsay Lohan’s character Violet. The series also stars Shailene Woodley as Sloane, a compulsive liar who fibs her way into a nanny position for Violet and her husband Jay, played by Kit Harington. Sophia Bush, Katherine LaNasa, and Lou Diamond Phillips are also part of the ensemble cast.
A New Role Amidst Breakout Fame
The casting news comes as Arnaud experiences a major career breakthrough. His performance in Heated Rivalry has attracted widespread acclaim and a new level of public attention. In January, Arnaud appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show to discuss the sudden fame.
“I’ve been acting for a long time, but I’ve never had this level of attention on me,” Arnaud said. “I’m still adapting”.
The series, which revolves around two closeted hockey players who start a secret affair, has become a cultural phenomenon. Arnaud’s character, Scott Hunter, received particular praise for his emotional arc in Episode 3, where he struggles with keeping his relationship with a barista named Kip a secret before eventually coming out publicly.
Heated Rivalry has been renewed for a second season. Filming is set to begin in August 2026, with a release scheduled for spring 2027.
What is Count My Lies About?
Count My Lies is based on Sophie Stava’s debut novel, which was chosen as the GMA Book Club Pick for March 2025. The official synopsis reveals a story of deception and hidden dangers:
“When compulsive liar Sloane (Shailene Woodley) fibs her way into a nanny position for the gorgeous and charismatic Violet (Lohan) and Jay Lockhart (Kit Harington), it seems she’s finally landed her dream job. But little does Sloane know, she’s just entered a household brimming with secrets that are about to explode — with potentially catastrophic consequences for all”.
The limited series is being created by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, who are serving as writers, showrunners, and executive producers. The project is produced by 20th Television for Hulu.
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What This Means for Heated Rivalry Season 2
The production schedules for Count My Lies and Heated Rivalry appear to be coordinated. While it has not been officially confirmed if Arnaud will return as Scott Hunter, sources indicate his role in Count My Lies is recurring, which suggests that scheduling conflicts are not expected to be an issue. The new Hulu series is already in production, while Heated Rivalry begins filming later this summer.
Arnaud previously shared his excitement for the Heated Rivalry’s success with E! News at the Critics Choice Awards 2026, noting that the show’s appeal goes beyond its steamy scenes. “The sex is how they hook you,” he said, “and then they kind of really break your heart by the end of it”.
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