Since being touted this past summer as a spiritual cross between “Smallville” and “Twin Peaks,” it's safe to say the A&E “Psycho” prequel “Bates Motel” is well on its way toward earning that claim. In terms of recent Hitchcock reverence, the series looks to take its tone more toward the bright absurdity of Anthony Hopkins' “Hitchcock,” rather than the dour one of “The Girl,” and now a slew of peculiar new photos have appeared to intrigue further.
Building on the first look of young Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) and his mother Norma (Vera Farmiga) in front of that iconic house, the new images (Collider via THR) delve deeper into the series' new universe, created by “Lost” creator Carlton Cuse and “Friday Night Lights” writer Kerry Ehrin. Featuring the first looks at Max Thieriot as Norman's older brother Dylan, Olivia Cooke as his classmate Emma, as well as Mike Vogel and Nestor Carbonell as the town's Deputy and Sheriff, the series also notably showcase Norman himself, getting into the psychotic mood by listening to his iPhone.
So far the show has toed the line between an eccentric, fun take on the Bates lineage and a goofy, “Dark Shadows” version of such, but even if the series takes a turn for the worst, it's an interesting day when there are three such unique takes of Hitchcock's creations out in the world. A&E is certainly confident in the project, having ordered it straight to series without first viewing a pilot, and you can see the final result when it airs next spring.
