A&E Network has announced the renewal of the acclaimed hit series "Bates Motel' for two more seasons. Rob Sharenow, Executive Vice President and General Manager, A&E and Lifetime, confirmed that they have ordered an additional twenty episodes of the drama thriller series starring Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga.
"The vision of our incredible creative team has exposed the steady breakdown of the relationship between Norman and Norma Bates," Sharenow explained. "We are thrilled to bring fans two more seasons to witness the next stages of Norman's transformation into the most notorious psychopath in cinematic history."
Production for the new episodes of "Bates Motel" will push through later this year and will be given air time over two seasons, beginning in 2016.
"Bates Motel' has continuously reached out to a loyal fan base during the airing of its past three seasons.
The compelling tandem of Farmiga ("The Conjuring', "Up in the Air') and Highmore ("Charlie and the Chocolate factory') alongside Max Thieriot ("Texas Rising', "Disconnect'), Olivia Cooke ("Me and Earl and the Dying Girl') and Nestor Carbonell ("The Dark Knight Rises', "Lost') has been enough to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Both Farmiga and Highmore bagged nominations for Best Actress and Actor in a Drama Series at the 2015 Critics' Choice Television Awards.
"Bates Motel' is intended to be a contemporary prequel to the events in Alfred Hitchcock's thriller-horror movie "Psycho.'
The series then serves up a closer look at how Norman Bates, played by Highmore, experiences his development through his teenage years. It also follows his mother Norma, portrayed by Farmiga, and her attempt to begin a new life by operating a small town motel in White Pine Bay with her son after her husband's death.
As a chain of unfortunate events continues to unravel, the Bates family's odd dynamics become more evident as time passes, especially under the observations of Sheriff Romero, played by Carbonell.
With Norman experiencing blackouts and hallucinations, his older brother Dylan, played by Thieriot, does what he can to help out, although he has had questions about his family as well.
Cooke takes on the role of Emma, an intelligent friend and classmate, who lends a hand to the family despite suffering from cystic fibrosis.
All in all, the series highlights some of Norman's most influential years and how his overly close yet questionable bond with his mother forged him to develop into a serial killer.
Produced by Universal Television for A&E Network, Kerry Ehrin and Carlton Cuse serve as executive producers for Carlton Cuse Productions and Kerry Ehrin Productions.
