In 2011, McDowell was cast in the role of Stanton Infeld on the TNT original series "Franklin & Bash", and appeared in the Academy Award-winning film "The Artist". In 2012, McDowell appeared in the horror films "Vamps" and "". On 16 March 2012, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, aptly outside the Pig n' Whistle British pub on Hollywood Boulevard. His fellow British actor Gary Oldman was in attendance and paid tribute to McDowell for inspiring him to become an actor.