[6] The Sublime (Melbourne Theatre Company) was shortlisted for the Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting in the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards 2015.

[7] His play Happy New was performed in London in 2013, starring Joel Samuels, Lisa Dillon and William Troughton.

[citation needed] In 2017 Cowell joined the cast of the HBO series Game of Thrones in season 7 as Harrag, an Ironborn sea captain allied to Theon Greyjoy.

[citation needed] In 2024 it was announced that Cowell had begun filming for ABC drama Plum based on his novel of the same name.

[citation needed] and a notable role in Avatar: The Way of Water as Captain Mick Scoresby.