Parker starred in the
TVNZ soap opera
Shortland Street as
Guy Warner, a character that has made several return appearances. He made his soap debut in 1992, and last appeared in 2024. Parker appeared as Haldir of Lórien in
The Lord of the Rings film trilogy (2001-2002), and as Sabas in
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009). He starred in a number of New Zealand television series, most notable
Mercy Peak (2001-2004), and
Diplomatic Immunity (2009). He guest-starred on
Xena: Warrior Princess,
Young Hercules,
Sleepy Hollow, and
NCIS. He has also narrated many New Zealand documentaries and was the reigning champion of New Zealand's
Celebrity Joker Poker in 2007. Parker starred as Darken Rahl in
Sam Raimi and
Rob Tapert's syndicated television series
Legend of the Seeker. He later starred as
Gaius Claudius Glaber in the
Starz original series
Spartacus: Blood and Sand, and
Spartacus: Vengeance which premiered on 22 January 2010 and is also produced by Raimi and Tapert. From 2014 to 2017, Parker played Lord Stéphane Narcisse in the CW period romance drama series
Reign. He guest starred in
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. portraying the
Kree Taryan in 2018 and had a recurring role during the first season of the 2018 reboot of
Charmed playing Alastair Caine. He later had a recurring role in the
Freeform drama series
Good Trouble, playing the eccentric and self-centered artist Yuri Elwin from 2021 to 2024. ==Personal life==