In 2004, McDermott starred alongside Julianna Margulies four-part mini-series "The Grid", playing FBI Special Agent Max Canary in an anti-terrorist unit. Returning to theater in 2006, the actor played a returned soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder in the Ensler's play "The Treatment". In 2007, McDermott starred in the television series "Big Shots". Due to low viewership, the show was canceled in January 2008 after 11 episodes without completing the planned 13-episode season. On October 30, 2008, "TV Guide" reported that McDermott was due to co-star alongside Shannen Doherty in the film "Burning Palms", a satire based on Los Angeles stereotypes told through five intertwining storylines.