Daniel Pierce is a fictional neuroscientist and professor of behavioral science at the fictional Lakeshore University in Chicago, who is the main character of the TNT crime drama series "Perception." He is portrayed by Eric McCormack. Pierce is a brilliant but eccentric individual who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, which causes him to experience vivid hallucinations and delusions. Despite his condition, he is frequently consulted by the FBI to help solve complex criminal cases due to his unique insights and ability to perceive patterns that others miss. He uses his understanding of the human mind and his own experiences with mental illness to unravel the motives of criminals and understand the psychology behind their actions.