They were all important learning experiences, though, and they forced Arnaud to not be so results- oriented in his choices and work pursuits. “[The failed promise of these projects] taught me to enjoy the work of being an actor so much more,” he says. “Back then, there was a lot of excitement and projection; I’d think, ‘I’m gonna be on the poster for this movie.’ And that’s really not what it’s about— that’s such a little part of it.” Now, Arnaud loves preparing for a project, showing up on-set with a lived-in character and taking in the whole experience. “It taught me to be present—the most important thing you can do as an actor,” he says.
Although Arnaud never moved back to Canada (he does own a place in the Laurentians, just north of Montreal), he continues to take on roles in Quebec films and television, including 2017’s Origami, family dramedy Au revoir le bonheur (Goodbye Happiness), based- on-real-life financial drama Norbourg, holiday flick 23 décembre and crime series Mr. Big. “There are great filmmakers in Quebec,” he says. “Some of them work internationally on a huge scale, and some of them are still making independent movies there, but I think they’re all worthy of my time and of everyone’s time, really.” He has also starred in Canadian productions like CBC’s X Company and Plan B as well as a single episode of Schitt’s Creek. “I get recognized just as often for that one episode as for my two and a half years on Midnight, Texas,” he says with a laugh, referencing his 2017 supernatural drama, which aired on NBC. “That speaks to the power of the project itself, not just the role.”