'Bates Motel' Casts Freddie Highmore as Future 'Psycho' Norman Bates

A&E's upcoming drama series "Bates Motel" is shaping up to be either really promising or really ridiculous. The "Psycho" prequel, which was given a straight-to-series greenlight in July, is being executive produced by Carlton Cuse of "Lost" and will explore the early days of Norman Bates, focusing on his relationship with his mother.

Vera Farmiga was announced in the maternal role of Norma Louise Bates several weeks ago, the Academy Award-nominated actress making her return to TV for her first regular small-screen role in eight years. And now, according to TVLine, the show's found its young Norman -- Freddie Highmore, the former child star of "Finding Neverland" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," will play the killer-to-be.

READ MORE: Vera Farmiga Will Play Norman Bates' Mother on A&E's 'Psycho' Prequel 'Bates Motel'

The 20-year-old English actor most recently headed up Gavin Wiesen's coming-of-age indie "The Art of Getting By," which premiered at Sundance last year. We're sure that, like all child actors, he's capable of playing creepy. Cuse also announced on Twitter that Max Thieriot ("Yellow," "House at the End of the Street") has been cast as Norman's brother Dylan, noting that "Max is a phenomenal, smart and magnetic actor."

"Bates Motel" is slated for 2013.