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

Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga will be returning to the small screen, where in the past she's starred in USA Network procedural "Touching Evil," NBC action series "UC: Undercover" and Fox fantasy show "Roar" (alongside a young Heath Ledger), to play the pre-mummified Mrs. Norma Bates, mother of Norman, in A&E's "Bates Motel."

Announced last month, "Bates Motel" got a straight-to-series order from A&E for a project that will serve as a prequel to the story told in Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho," one that will explore that dysfunctional relationship between Norman and his mother that resulted in the twisted killer moviegoers know so well. According to the Hollywood Reporter:

Farmiga will play Norma Louise Bates, described as a complicated, passionate and compelling woman who's a smart, multidimensional character always capable of surprising people.

"Bates Motel," which is slated to premiere next year, is executive produced by Carlton Cuse of "Lost" and "Friday Night Lights" writer Kerry Ehrin. The series is the creation of Anthony Cipriano, who scripted Michael Cuesta's "Twelve and Holding" and wrote the pilot for this series.

Three different actors -- Virginia Gregg, Paul Jasmin and Jeanette Nolan -- all uncredited, voiced Norma in Hitchcock's 1960 film.