In 2011 Karnes appeared in Body of Proof episode "Hunting Party". In 2012 he played Secretary of Defense william Curry in a recurring role on ABC's Last Resort. In 2013 Karnes also appeared in the pilot episode of Jeff Eastin's drama series Graceland as Supervising Agent Gerry Silvo. In 2014 Karnes also appeared in FOX's series, Gang Related, as Agent Carter of IAD, as well as in the film Jayhawkers as the chancellor of the University of Kansas.