In Fall 2009, Cathey played the role of Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding in a theatrical production of "The Shawshank Redemption" at Wyndham's Theatre, London. He has made two guest appearances on ', as an undercover police officer involved with animal smuggling (episode: "Wildlife") and later as a high-priced defense attorney to a hooker (episode: "Rhodium Nights"). He also made a guest appearance on ' in the episode "Anti-Thesis" as a college professor suspected of murder. He also played boxing promoter Barry K. Word on the FX series "Lights Out".