Psycho Prequel TV Series Has Cast Norman Bates’ Mother

In a year of two behind-the-scenes Alfred Hitchcock projects, a new contendor as emerged. It’s a new drama series from A&E called Bates Motel that explores the relationship between Norman Bates and his mother…Norma. Does anyone want this?

In case you were wondering if this would come to fruition, they’re already at the casting stage. Vera Farmiga (Roar, The Departed) is set to play Norma Bates, the woman who helped drive Norman to become psycho in the first place.

“Farmiga will play Norma Louise Bates who is described as passionate, and compelling, a smart, multidimensional character who is always capable of surprising us,” writes Deadline, although I don’t see being very surprised by the character from what we already know of Norman.

“The Universal TV-produced Bates Motel has a 10-episode straight-to-series order for a 2013 premiere,” writes Deadline. “Former Lost co-showrunner Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin (Parenthood) serve as writers-executive producers.”

“We are delighted to welcome Vera Farmiga to Bates Motel,” said 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.”

Bates Motel was originally going to be a mini-series until Cuse and Ehrin joined the team and prompted A&E to go all in. There was a 1987 television movie of the same but the two share no connection.

Would you watch something like this?

(via Deadline)

Are you following The Mary Sue on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, & Google +?