Eric McCormack found great success with NBC’s Will & Grace sitcom but his stint on TNT’s Trust Me didn’t work out quite so well. It only lasted 13 episodes and one season before being cancelled.
Well, clearly there are no hard feelings on his part or on that of the cable channel. TNT has just picked up McCormack’s new series. It’s expected to premiere sometime in 2012.
Here’s the press release:
TNT Gives Green Light to PERCEPTION,
New Drama Series Starring Emmy® Winner Eric McCormackTNT has given the green light to PERCEPTION, an original drama series starring Emmy® and Screen Actors Guild Award® winner Eric McCormack (Will & Grace, Who Is Clark Rockefeller?). TNT has ordered 10 episodes of the new series, which centers on a neuroscientist who works to solve complex criminal cases. Also starring are Rachael Leigh Cook (She’s All That), Arjay Smith (The Day After Tomorrow) and Kelly Rowan (The O.C.). PERCEPTION was created by executive producer Kenneth Biller (Star Trek: Voyager, Legend of the Seeker) and co-executive producer Mike Sussman (Star Trek: Voyager), with McCormack serving as producer. Alan Poul (Six Feet Under) directed and served as executive producer for the pilot. Produced by ABC Studios, PERCEPTION is expected to premiere on TNT in 2012.
In PERCEPTION, McCormack plays Dr. Geoffrey Pierce, an eccentric neuroscientist who uses his unique outlook and expertise to help the federal government crack difficult cases. Pierce’s intimate knowledge of human behavior and masterful understanding of the mind are matched by his equally odd and imaginative view of the world. Cook co-stars as FBI agent Kate Rossi, Pierce’s former student and the person responsible for recruiting him to work for the government. Smith plays Max Lewicki, Pierce’s teaching assistant who has spent nine years at college. Rowan is Natalie Vincent, Pierce’s best friend and every bit his intellectual equal.
“When we saw the pilot for PERCEPTION, it confirmed what we thought from the first pitch: It’s a perfect fit for TNT’s original series lineup,” said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “With its blend of intensity, emotion, humor, smart storytelling, sharp direction and a buzz-worthy performance from Eric McCormack, PERCEPTION is a hugely entertaining show we believe TNT viewers will love.”
McCormack earned an Emmy and five Golden Globe® nominations for his performance as Will Truman on the long-running hit comedy Will & Grace. He followed that success with memorable performances in the mini-series The Andromeda Strain, the films My One and Only and Alien Trespass and the television movie Best Thing Ever, as well as a recurring role on The New Adventures of Old Christine. Last year, he earned rave reviews for his role in the television movie Who Is Clark Rockefeller? A longtime stage actor, McCormack played five seasons at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. He made his Broadway debut in The Music Man in 2001 and returned to the New York stage in 2006 in Neil LaBute’s Some Girl(s).
Cook comes to PERCEPTION with an extensive resume that includes starring in the hit film She’s All That and a co-starring role on the series Las Vegas. She also co-starred in TNT’s Into the West and played a recurring character on Psych. Cook’s big-screen credits include Antitrust, Josie and the Pussycats and Get Carter.
Smith earned early stardom in the series Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher and The Journey of Allen Strange. His credits also include roles on The West Wing, 24, Malcolm in the Middle, Bones, Cold Case and NYPD Blue, as well TNT’s Saving Grace. Smith’s feature-film credits include the blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow and the comedy First Sunday.
Rowan is best known for her role as Kirsten Cohen in the popular drama series The O.C. She recently starred in and executive-produced such television movies as The Good Times are Killing Me and the award-winning In God’s Country. Rowan’s credits also include roles in the series Boomtown and Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster fantasy Hook.
About TNT
TNT, one of cable’s top-rated networks, is television’s destination for drama. Seen in 100.5 million households, the network is home to such original series as The Closer, starring Emmy® winner Kyra Sedgwick; Rizzoli & Isles, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; Hawthorne, with Jada Pinkett Smith; Memphis Beat, with Jason Lee; Men of a Certain Age, with Ray Romano, Scott Bakula and Andre Braugher; and Southland, from Emmy-winning producer John Wells (ER); as well as the upcoming Falling Skies, starring Noah Wyle, and Franklin & Bash, with Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer. TNT also presents such powerful dramas as Bones, Supernatural, Las Vegas, Law & Order, CSI: NY, Cold Case and, starting in late 2011, The Mentalist; broadcast premiere movies; compelling primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR, the NBA and the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. TNT is available in high-definition.Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
What do you think? Does Perception interest you? Does it sound like this one could be a hit?
As a person who suffered silently at the beginning, I can not thank you enough
I would tell family and friends my condition was like a thief in the night. It slowly and silently changed who and what I was. This show even tells the audiences that not all people with a condition like ours is dangerous towards other. And not therps. Are correct. THANK YOU! PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL! Your show could be a great educational tool for general public while giving great entertainment. God bless!
Please, please, please do not drop this show. I have a real hard time the night this show airs; what to tape and what to watch, but I enjoy them all. Change it to Wednesday, there’s not much on that night!!!
please don’t cancel Percetion. The show is awesome.
I get so mad when the tv stations cancel good programs. Perception should not be cancelled it is very riveting. I have always watched TNT because of the great programs
you have. Not a bunch of trashy reality shows. Please keep the good programs.
Loved the combination of a brilliant mind and dealing with the devil of schophrenia. Very interesting story line, and good acting.
I have just finished watching the series, not sure if I missed any days, but i really enjoyed it. In the beginning and then it slowed down for me a bit then it picked up and I want more…This is a perfect picture to advocate andbring an understand and support for those who live with mental health issues such as schzoprenia. I would love to see it come back!
One of the best new shows ever… cannot miss with Eric McC in the lead…. It is a show that makes people think and educates them at the same time on the disease….. Please don’t close down this show, it has so many creative facets to branch into that it can be constantly evolving and different giving the actors range for their talents. I must say as much as I like the character of Moretti I am not sure this is the actress for this part… however , it would never stop me from watching and loving this show. Thanks… Read more »
My 2 cents worth amounts to just about everyone else’s. KEEP IT ROLLING!!!!! It is a darn good show.
I love this show. My sister suffered w/this horrible condition and I think people need
to know that you can still function with it. Love Eric McCormack! Please don’t cancel this
show.
I really enjoy this show, it’s different than the other genius solving consultants. I find this as enjoyable as law and order criminal intent with the original staff Bobby and Eames.
The writer(s) should be commended on writing a refreshing original show.
I live with schizophrenia and believe that this show will help break through the stigma surounding the disease. I’ve just heard about it and was wondering if any body knows what chanel it’s on with shaw direct.
If Eric McCormack is in it, it cannot fail. LOVE THAT MAN and all his characters. PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT CANCELL IT….RESIGN RESIGN RESIGN
I love this show. When will it be back? Please don’t cancel it. Please, please, please!!!!!!!!
I love this show. I can not wait until it comes back on. The mentalist is good but Patrick is self serving, he is only in it to get red john. Dr. Pierce is trying to live as normal a life as he can. Please do not cancel this show.
I love the show it really has a great cast and storyline. It really gives insight into mental health as well. To understand what people deal with everyday.