Esper starred as Dr. Kenneth Jordan on 2013 NBC series Do No Harm. He has had recurring roles on Nurse Jackie , Person of Interest, Shades of Blue, and The Family, as well as guest roles on several other shows. His notable film appearances include: The Drop, Frances Ha, All Good Things, A Beautiful Mind, and Runner Runner. His voice is included on American Idiot: The Original Broadway Cast Recording.
After a break from stage work, he returned to New York theater in February 2014 with David Grimm's new play Tales from Red Vienna off-Broadway, opposite Nina Arianda. He followed that by starring in Sting's new musical The Last Ship. The Last Ship began previews on Broadway in September 2014 and ran through January 24, 2015. Esper also appeared in David Bowie and Enda Walsh's new musical Lazarus at New York Theatre Workshop. He was nominated for a 2016 Outer Critics Circle Award for his performance in Lazarus.
The New York Daily News described him as a "rising star", and said, "He acts with an emotional openness and authenticity that's as striking as it is uncommon. Esper's talent is evident whether he's punking out on Broadway in the Green Day musical "American Idiot" or assuming the cadence and carriage of 16th-century England in "A Man for All Seasons."
On June 21, 2017 it was confirmed that Esper had been cast as John Paul Getty Jr. in the upcoming FX TV series Trust.
