He was replaced in the 2005 series by Tom Williams because of family commitments and his duties with Border Security: Australia's Front Line.

[7] Bowler guest starred as Gault, the captain of a freighter on the American television series Lost, starting with the season four episode "Ji Yeon".

In 2008, he began a recurring role on Ugly Betty as Connor Owens, corrupt CFO of Meade Publications and the love interest of the series' main villain.

"[8] In December 2009, he was cast as Cooter, a werewolf, in the HBO urban fantasy series True Blood, for that show's third season.

In 2012, Bowler was cast as Richard Burton opposite Lindsay Lohan as Elizabeth Taylor in the biographical TV-movie Liz & Dick for Lifetime in the US.

Bowler was also seen in the psychological action film Swelter, alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme and Alfred Molina; in the sci-fi thriller 400 Days with Brandon Routh and Dane Cook; Lucky Dog with Amy Smart; and the family movie, Zooey to the Max.