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Bates Motel

2013 – 2017 · 45m per ep · TV-MA · English · United States of America

A "contemporary prequel" to the 1960 film Psycho, depicting the life of Norman Bates and his mother Norma prior to the events portrayed in Hitchcock's film, albeit in a different fictional town and in a modern setting. The series begins after the death of Norma's husband, when she purchases a motel located in a coastal Oregon town so she and Norman can start a new life.

8.1(455 reviews)

30.3425% popularity

At a glance

Details

First air date: Mar 18, 2013
Last air date: Apr 24, 2017
Status: Ended
Seasons: 5
Episodes: 50
Episode runtime: 45m
Original language: English
Country: United States of America
Network / platform: A&E
Creator / showrunner: Carlton Cuse, Kerry Ehrin, Anthony Cipriano
Certification: TV-MA
Production companies: Kerry Ehrin Productions, Cuse Productions, Universal Television, American Genre

Where to watch

Streaming availability has not been added yet.

Keywords

parent child relationshipsmall townmotelprequeldysfunctional familyserial killersingle motherbased on movie

Seasons & episodes

Season 1

2013 · 10 episodes

After finding his father dead, teenager Norman Bates and his mother, Norma, purchase a motel and move to White Pine Bay in search of a new life, but they soon discover this idyllic seaside town hides some deadly secrets.

0 of 10 watched0%

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Cast

Vera Farmiga

Norma Bates

Freddie Highmore

Norman Bates

Max Thieriot

Dylan Massett

Olivia Cooke

Emma Decody

Nestor Carbonell

Alex Romero

Media

Reviews & ratings

8.1

455 community reviews

AR
Alex Rivera7.1/103/18/2026
Binge-worthy
Every episode leaves you wanting more. The character arcs are exceptional.
52 found helpful
JK
Jordan Kim8.1/103/14/2026
Peak television
One of the best shows in its genre — tightly written and beautifully acted.
44 found helpful
SP
Sam Patel9.1/103/10/2026
Must-watch series
The season finales alone are worth the watch.
36 found helpful
ML
Morgan Lee7.1/103/6/2026
Brilliant writing
Gripping from the first scene. Already recommending to everyone.
28 found helpful
CW
Casey Wong8.1/103/2/2026
Slow burn payoff
Takes a few episodes to hit stride, then it's unstoppable.
20 found helpful