Television

Adams appeared in episodes of Cold Case, Pretty Little Liars, Jack & Bobby, and has since had roles in Lost, Friday Night Lights, Without a Trace, Commander in Chief, Heartland, Ghost Whisperer, NCIS, Cupid, Luck, Raising the Bar, Legends of Tomorrow, Lie to Me and Suits.^[9] He starred as twin brothers in the 2008 ABC pilot Good Behavior,^[10] executive produced by Rob Thomas. In 2009, he signed for the male lead in the one-hour drama The Dealership, starring opposite Tricia Helfer and William Devane.^[11] His television appearances grew over the next few years, from guest appearances on Numb3rs to a recurring role as a love interest for Adrianne Palicki on Friday Night Lights and leads in TV features like the romantic comedy Christmas in Boston.^[12]

In 2007, he moved up to guest appearances on top-rated shows like Lost, where he played a young man who sought out John Locke (played by Terry O'Quinn). He also maintained his presence in the Los Angeles theater scene, most notably with an award-winning production of "Marat/Sade," which he produced and directed for the Blue House Theatre Company.^[13] In 2010, Adams guest starred in Pretty Little Liars, in the 5th episode: "Reality Bites Me", as Ezra Fitz's college friend, Hardy.

In mid-2011, he began starring in the co-lead role of Mike Ross in Suits on the basic-cable USA Network, after being fired from the pilot of NBC's Friends With Benefits.^[14]

He garnered much acclaim for his role in the series, which continued through its seventh season in 2017–18. Beginning in Season 3, Adams was listed as a co-producer of Suits (with co-star Gabriel Macht), and directed some episodes. On January 30, 2018, it was announced Adams was departing from the show following the completion of its seventh season. He appeared in HBO's 2012 TV series Luck as recurring character Nathan Israel.^[15]

In 2016, Adams was cast as Hourman in the TV series Legends of Tomorrow. Playing the Rex Tyler iteration, he appeared at the end of the season 1 finale before being killed off in the season 2 premiere.^[16][17]

In 2020, he was cast in the role of legendary astronaut John Glenn for the Disney+ series The Right Stuff.

Film

Adams's work in film includes supporting roles in Old School and Two: Thirteen, and lead roles in Weather Girl (a 2009 Slamdance entry) and the 2009 Berlin International Film Festival competitor Rage, directed by Sally Potter.^[18] In the beginning of 2018 he released his first own short film, We Are Here. He wrote, directed, and acted in the short film together with his wife Troian Bellisario.

Theatre

Adams made his Broadway debut in the Second Stage Theater revival of Take Me Out, which was originally slated to open at the Hayes Theater in April 2020. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the show was postponed for two years; previews began on March 10, 2022, with the show officially opening on April 4, 2022.^[19][20] For his role in the play as Christopher "Kippy" Sunderstrom, Adams received a nomination from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Play.^[21] Adams won a Tony Award June 12, 2022 when Take Me Out was named winner of the 2022 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play.

Film

Television