How a tennis-playing teenager became a global star of horror and historical drama
In short: Jonas Bloquet never intended to be an actor. A childhood tennis prodigy, he was studying to become an engineer until a chance audition for a film seeking a tennis player changed his trajectory. Today, he is a versatile performer moving seamlessly between psychological thrillers, blockbuster horror, and prestigious historical television.
Born in Brussels in 1992, Bloquet was raised by a tennis-teaching father and a civil servant mother. His entry into the film industry was serendipitous; his mother spotted an advertisement for the 2008 drama Private Lessons, which required a young actor who could play tennis. By a strange coincidence, the film's director, Joachim Lafosse, had previously been a student of Bloquet's father. This debut performance earned the fifteen-year-old a nomination for a Magritte Award for Most Promising Actor, setting the stage for a career that would span Belgian, French, and American productions.
After moving to Paris in 2010, Bloquet refined his craft at the Eva Saint-Paul Theatre School and later studied filmmaking at Luc Besson's Ecole de la Cité. His filmography reflects a wide range of genres. He gained international recognition for his role as Vincent Leblanc in Paul Verhoeven's 2016 thriller Elle, which secured him a César Award nomination. He later reached a broad audience as Maurice 'Frenchie' Theriault in the horror hit The Nun and its 2023 sequel. His ability to inhabit diverse roles is further evidenced by his portrayal of historical figures, such as Joseph II in the series Marie Antoinette, and his work in international projects like the Japanese film Baragaki: Unbroken Samurai.
Beyond acting, Bloquet has explored directing, having helmed four short films between 2015 and 2016. His commitment to the craft has been recognized with significant accolades, including the 2025 Magritte Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the thriller Night Call. Now based in Paris with his partner, actress Claire Boyé, and their son, Bloquet continues to balance his career across mediums, with upcoming projects such as the aquatic science-fiction series Rivages. His journey from the tennis court to the screen highlights a career defined by unexpected opportunities and a consistent evolution across global cinema.
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