TCA: Psycho Prequel Series "Bates Motel" in the Works at A&E
1/13/2012
by Lesley Goldberg


A&E is continuing its push into scripted programming, one of which is based on the famed motel featured in Alfred Hitchcock's classic 1960 motion picture Psycho.

The network announced on Friday that it is in early development stages on "Bates Motel", a potential series from Universal Television for A&E that would serve as a prequel to the film.





The series would offer an understanding into how Norman Bates' psyche developed and would tell the back story of the film's killer, learning of how his mother, Norma, and her lover damaged him, transforming him into serial-killing motel owner.

Anthony Perkins played Norman in the film.





The project is not the first time a Psycho spin-off effort has been attempted.

A tv-pilot, also named "Bates Motel", aired in the summer of 1987 on NBC after the series wasn't picked up.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tca-psycho-prequel-series-bates-281527

Didn't we already see this in Psycho IV with Henry Thomas as a young Norman?

I was going to mention the 1980's Bates Motel series with Bud Cort.

I think the movies explained in good detail already why Norman was the way he was. But at least it's not another reality show. A&E really went downhill when they started airing all reality all the time and CSI/Criminal Minds reruns.

Didn't we already see this in Psycho IV with Henry Thomas as a young Norman?

That's what a lot of people are saying...

"Lost" Showrunner Carlton Cuse Joining A&E's "Bates Motel" (Exclusive)
3/9/2012
by Borys Kit


Carlton Cuse, who along with Damon Lindelof executive produced and acted as showrunners of ABC's "Lost", is boarding A&E’s "Bates Motel".

"Bates Motel" aims to tell the story of a young Norman Bates and how his life with his deranged mother and her lover unhinged his mind, eventually turning him into a serial killer.

It has been described as a cross between "Twin Peaks" and "Smallville".





If the show is picked up to series, Cuse will executive produce and oversee the writing and production what is being envisioned intially as a six-episode “event" that would lead to additional seasons.

It also marks the first “genre” TV project for Cuse since his acclaimed run on "Lost".





Kerry Ehrin, who worked on "Friday NIght Lights" and "Parenthood", also is joining "Bates Motel" as a writer/EP and will work with Cuse.

A&E is hoping the series can do for it what zombie drama "The Walking Dead" did for AMC, generating top ratings while initiating online water-cooler conversations.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lost-bates-motel-carlton-cuse-a-e-298201

A&E Orders Carlton Cuse's Psycho Prequel "Bates Motel" Straight to Series
7/2/2012
by Lesley Goldberg


A&E is checking in to the "Bates Motel".

The cable network has opted to bypass the traditional pilot stage and order its Psycho prequel "Bates Motel" straight to series.





From "Lost's" Carlton Cuse and "Friday Night Lights'" Kerry Ehrin, the series is inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho and is described as a contemporary exploration of Norman Bates' formative years.

It will explore his relationship with his mother, Norma, and offer a look at the back story that helped forge the famed serial killer. It's been dubbed as a cross between "Twin Peaks" and "Smallville".





The series, which will begin pre-production and casting immediately, is scheduled for a 2013 premiere on A&E.

Cuse and Ehrin will executive produce the Universal Television and Carlton Cuse Productions effort. Anthony Cipriano penned the pilot script.



"We are proud to be partnering with Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin on their thrilling reinvention of one of the most compelling characters in cinematic history," A&E president and GM Bob DeBitetto and A&E exec vp programming Dave McKillop said in a joint statement announcing the news Monday.

"It's a provocative project from two of the best storytellers in the business and we’re looking forward to getting started."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/ae-bates-motel-psycho-prequel-lost-carlton-cuse-344144

Keck's Exclusives: Vera Farmiga Checks in to A&E's "Bates Motel"
Aug 27, 2012
by William Keck


A&E's upcoming series "Bates Motel" has found a mother for young Norman Bates — and this time it's not a skeleton in a wig. Vera Farmiga, who carried on a salacious affair with George Clooney in 2009's Up in the Air, will play Norma Louise Bates.

"We are delighted to welcome Vera Farmiga to 'Bates Motel'," says executive producer Carlton Cuse. "She is a phenomenal talent who has demonstrated incredible range and intelligence in a number of landmark film roles, and we couldn't be more excited to have her join our project."





In this prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's classic 1960 classic Psycho, Norman Bates is a boy of 16 showing peculiarities of what's to come. "His mother, Norma, is in her early forties and very hot," says Cuse.

In the pilot, the Bates family moves to a rural town in Northern California and purchases a run-down motel. "We're reinterpreting the mythology a bit and we might discover that Norman has a sibling."

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Vera-Farmiga-Bates-Motel-1052411.aspx

"Bates Motel" Reveals Teaser Artwork
by Silas Lesnick
September 12, 2012


The very first piece of teaser art from A&E's upcoming Psycho prequel television series, "Bates Motel", is now online, courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter.

The series is set to star Vera Farmiga as Norma Louise Bates, the mother of horror icon Norman Bates and is officially described as follows:



"'Bates Motel' gives viewers an intimate understanding of how Norman Bates' psyche developed from his childhood through his teen years.

Fans will have access to the dark, twisted backstory and learn first hand how his mother, Norma, and her love damaged Norman, helped forge the most well-known serial killing motel owner in history."



"Bates Motel" is produced by Universal Television for A&E Network.
The script was written by Anthony Cipriano.






http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e10/JamesGrec/bates-motel-art.jpg

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/169841-bates-motel-reveals-teaser-artwork

Keck's Exclusives: "Bates Motel" Casts Its Norman
Sept 14, 2012
by William Keck


After an exhaustive search for a young man to take over the iconic role immortalized by Anthony Perkins in Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 masterpiece Psycho, A&E's new prequel series, "Bates Motel", has cast its Norman Bates.

The part has gone to 20-year-old English lad Freddie Highmore, who first gained notoriety opposite Johnny Depp in 2004's Finding Neverland. Depp and Highmore re-teamed a year later on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with Highmore playing lucky Golden Ticket winner Charlie Bucket.





Earlier this year, Bates Motel executive producer Carlton Cuse told me that his Norman might not be what fans expect. Cuse isn't looking for someone to imitate Perkins, as this series will offer an original, multi-layered take on Hitchcock's classic.

Vera Farmiga will play Norman's mother, Norma Louise Bates, who Cuse described to me as "very hot."

(Certainly hotter than the skeleton who played the part in Psycho!)



The series is expected to begin production by early October for a 2013 premiere.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Bates-Motel-Freddie-Highmore-1053089.aspx

A&E's "Bates Motel" Adds Max Thieriot as Norman's Brother
9/14/2012
by Lesley Goldberg


A&E's "Bates Motel" has given Norman Bates an older brother.

"Kit Kittredge: An American Girl" alum Max Thieriot has joined the network's Psycho prequel playing the older brother to the budding psychopath, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/ae-bates-motel-psycho-prequel-max-thieriot-freddie-highmore-vera-farmiga-370533

I never knew Norman had a brother.

I never knew Norman had a brother.

Neither did I... :confused:

Sounds to me like they're taking as much liberty with the original Psycho movie, as the original Psycho movie took with Robert Bloch's book.

"Bates Motel" First Look: Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga in A&E's Psycho Prequel
11/20/2012
by Lesley Goldberg


Meet the Bates family.

A&E on Tuesday released the first photo of stars Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore as the Bates family from its upcoming Psycho prequel "Bates Motel".



In the image below, Farmiga's Norma Bates appears as a distant hotel owner as her teen son Norman joins his mother in the brush just in front of the eerie property, which the duo move into following the death of Papa Bates.

"Bates Motel" will premiere next year on A&E.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bates-motel-vera-farmiga-freddie-highmore-carlton-cuse-photo-393392

Meet the Residents of A&E's "Bates Motel" (Exclusive Photos)
11/26/2012
by Lesley Goldberg



Freddie Highmore as Norman Bates


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/11/Freddie_Highmore_as_Norman_Bates.jpg



Freddie Highmore stars as Norman Bates in the prequel from "Lost's" Carlton Cuse and "Friday Night Lights'" Kerry Ehrin.

The series will explore Norman's back story that helped forge the infamous serial killer.









Young Norman


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/11/Bates_Motel_Exclusive_8_a_h.jpg



Highmore's 16-year-old Norman is described as a sweet yet refined boy in the network's Psycho prequel.









The Loner


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/11/Bates_Motel_Exclusive_1_a_h.jpg



After relocating to a new town, Norman will be tasked with navigating the social land mine that comes with being the new kid at a local high school.









Helpful and Handy


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/11/Bates_Motel_Exclusive_2_a_h.jpg



New to the neighborhood, Norman helps his mother unpack their belongings and settle into the creepy property that will become the Bates Motel.











Max Thieriot as Dylan Bates


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/11/Max_Thieriot_as_Dylan_Bates.jpg



Kit Kittredge: An American Girl alum Max Thieriot will play Norman's older brother Dylan Bates in the series.









Welcome Home?


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/11/Bates_Motel_Exclusive_3_a_h.jpg



Thieriot's Dylan has a love-hate relationship with his mother, Norma, and will return home unexpectedly to discover his family's new residence.











Vera Farmiga as Norma Bates


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/11/Vera_Farmiga_as_Norma_Bates.jpg



Up in the Air Academy Award nominee Vera Farmiga will play the Norma Louise Bates, the complicated, passionate and compelling mother to Norman who is smart, multidimensional and always capable of surprising people.









Bandaged But Not Damaged


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/11/Bates_Motel_Exclusive_6_a_h.jpg



Spoiler alert: There's a dark story behind the bandage on Norma's right hand that includes her loving son and it doesn't end well for someone.











Olivia Cooke as Emma Decody


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/11/Olivia_Cooke_as_Emma_Decody.jpg



Blackout's Olivia Cooke plays Emma Decody, a classmate of Norman's with a penchant for adventure despite having a medical condition that requires her to roll a portable oxygen tank along with her.









Fast Friends


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/11/Bates_Motel_Exclusive_9_a_h.jpg



Both somewhat social outcasts at school, Norman and Emma become quick friends in Bates Motel, which bypassed the traditional pilot stage and was picked up directly to series.









Study Buddies


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/11/Bates_Motel_Exclusive_7_a_p.jpg



Judging by this photo, Emma appears to be unafraid of Norman's creepy residents as she spends time studying at the Bates Motel with Norman.











Nicola Peltz as Bradley


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/11/Nicola_Peltz_as_Bradley_Martin.jpg



The Last Airbender's Nicola Peltz will play Bradley, a girl Norman takes a liking to at school who's described as bright and effortlessly sexy with a depth that makes her seem older than she really is.











Mike Vogel as Deputy Zach Shelby


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/11/Mike_Vogel_as_Debuty_Zach_Shelby.jpg



"Pan Am's" Mike Vogel plays Deputy Zach Shelby, a compassionate guy with an instant likability to him.









Nestor Carbonell as Sheriff Alex Romero


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/11/Nestor_Carbonell_as_Sheriff_Alex_Romero.jpg



"Lost" alum Nestor Carbonell will reunite with Carlton Cuse on "Bates", playing Sheriff Alex Romero -- who is described as dark and edgy, with eyes that see everything and an unwillingness to let anyone off the hook for anything.

The Sign Lives On


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/11/Bates_Motel_Exclusive_5_a_h.jpg



The haunting sign from Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 thriller has been reimagined in A&E's prequel take. The cable network used a take on the creepy image as a teaser to promote the series at the Emmys.









Now Accepting Reservations


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/2012/11/Bates_Motel_Exclusive_4_a_h.jpg



A&E is currently filming the series in Vancouver, for an early 2013 premiere.

"We think our take on the Bates family will both be surprising and subvert expectations. We can't wait for people to check in," Cuse told The Hollywood Reporter of his take.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/bates-motel-psycho-prequel-carlton-cuse-vera-farmiga-394132

"Bates Motel" Is Almost Open: Teasers, New Photos
by Samuel Zimmerman
Nov 30, 2012


Dead bodies everywhere! The contemporary prequel series to the Hitchcock classic is setting a murderous tone.

A&E's "Bates Motel" premieres this spring and on the heels of recent photos, two brief teasers are presenting evidence of some starkly violent events.





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http://www.fangoria.com/images/stories/NOV12_2/batesmotelnormanwatson.jpg



http://www.fangoria.com/images/stories/NOV12_2/batesmotelnorman.jpg

http://www.fangoria.com/index.php/home/all-news/1-latest-news/8202-qbates-motelq-almost-open-teasers-new-photos

"Bates Motel" will make its debut on Monday, March 18 at 10 p.m. EST on A&E.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/04/bates-motel-premiere-date_n_2412054.html?

http://pmctvline2.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/bates_tease_emma.jpg




http://pmctvline2.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/bates_tease_feet.jpg




http://pmctvline2.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/bates_tease_hand.jpg




http://pmctvline2.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/bates_tease_plant.jpg




http://pmctvline2.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/bates_tease_sink.jpg

http://cdn1.shocktillyoudrop.com/images/stories/2013/February/thumbnails/bates-motel.608x1190.jpg

"Bates Motel" Hits a Drama Debut High for A&E
by Matt Webb Mitovich
3/19/13


A lot of people checked into "Bates Motel" on Monday night, as the dark drama took a stab at an A&E record.

With its initial 10 pm airing, the Bates family origin story drew 3 million total viewers, with 1.6 mil landing in the 18-49 sweet spot. That demo delivery marks an A&E high for an original drama series debut.

"Breakout Kings" was the previous record holder, with 1.5 million in the demo, while "Longmire" last summer delivered a larger premiere audience (4.1 mil) but skewed older, with less than a million aged 18-49.



For the night, "Bates Motel" checked in 4.6 million total viewers, with 2.4 mil in the 18-49 demo.

“Bates Motel represents the very best of quality storytelling with an incredible cast led by Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore,” A&E boss Bob DeBitetto said in a statement. “We are extremely pleased with the initial viewer response to this edgy and provocative series and are confident that it will continue to draw in new audiences.”

http://tvline.com/2013/03/19/bates-motel-premiere-ae-ratings/

watching the show, it appears to be set in the 50/60s but Mother Bates has a cell phone.....

:confused: :o

The show is set in current day. The Bates Motel looks like it's from the 1950s; nothing's been done in terms of decorating for decades.

Watched the first 2 episodes. Don't like it. I don't have a problem with the changes made, I just find it dull.

I was going to mention the 1980's Bates Motel series with Bud Cort.



It was an interesting concept, sort of a horror version of The Love Boat set at the motel. And Bud Cort was good in it.

Really like this show. The finale was great. Hope it returns next year. Norma Bates is one sexy woman.