François Arnaud Reveals His Old Manager Refused to Read 'Heated Rivalry' Script, Didn't Think He Should Do the Show

François Arnaud is opening up about his journey to booking Heated Rivalry.

The 40-year-old actor, who plays Scott Hunter in the hit Crave series, revealed in a new BTS video that his old manager was opposed to him taking on the role and refused to read the script.

Keep reading to find out more…

While speaking with Gayle King ahead of his appearance on CBS Mornings on Tuesday (January 13), François shared the tidbit.

“I remember telling, well, my managers refused to read it,” he told her. “They just thought it was like another, they were like, ‘We can’t pitch you for big things if you’re going to be doing a random miniseries abroad.’ And I was like, ‘No, no, you’ve got to read this. This is…’”

He then clarified, “Well, I’m with different managers now.”

François also opened up about his audition process in another new interview.

“I have known Jacob Tierney — the writer, director, creator and producer of the show — for almost 17 years now. He directed a couple of episodes of a show I did for Fox called The Moodys. He called me and told me he was working on this series. My agent and I read the script for the first episode at the same time, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is porn — I don’t know that this is for me,’” he told the Television Academy. “But because I knew Jacob‘s wit and smarts and taste and intellect, I knew there was something more. And the more I read, the more emotionally involved I got with the characters. I really liked Scott and Kip’s story; I liked how it allowed Shane and Ilya’s story to develop, as well. I think that’s also why the show is such a success.”

He then clarified he still had to audition for the network executives.

“I thought it was an offer! But the network first wanted me to do a chemistry read with Robbie [G.K.]. Partly because in the books [written by Rachel Reid] the character is described as this all-American blonde with blue eyes. Like a corn-fed type,” François said. “I have a more European edge in my looks. After Jacob asked me, I was like, ‘This career is just endlessly humiliating.’ But we just did it. A half-hour later, I was told I had the part — they were convinced.”

Also while at CBS Mornings, François got to meet Gayle‘s bestie Oprah – Check out the video below!

Last week at the Critics Choice Awards, François shared his hopes for Scott and Kip in season two!