He is known for playing Mike Ross, a college dropout turned unlicensed lawyer, in the USA Network legal drama series Suits (2011–2019).

[7] Following his parents' divorce, Adams moved from Toronto to Los Angeles at age 19, where he attended the University of Southern California, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

[8] 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.

In 2009, he signed for the male lead in the one-hour drama The Dealership, starring opposite Tricia Helfer and William Devane.

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.

[14] 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.

[24][25][26] The two met in 2009 when they were cast opposite each other in the play Equivocation,[27] then broke up briefly but got back together after Adams' guest appearance on Pretty Little Liars in 2010.