A&E NETWORK TO PREMIERE NEW ORIGINAL SCRIPTED DRAMA SERIES "BATES MOTEL" ON MONDAY, MARCH 18 AT 10PM ET/PT

SERIES TO STAR VERA FARMIGA, FREDDIE HIGHMORE, MAX THIERIOT, OLIVIA COOKE AND NICOLA PELTZ

Pasadena, CA - January 4, 2013 - A&E Network will premiere the new original scripted drama series "Bates Motel" from executive producers Carlton Cuse ("Lost") and Kerry Ehrin ("Friday Night Lights") on Monday, March 18 at 10 PM ET/PT, it was announced today by Bob DeBitetto, President and GM of A&E Network and Bio Channel. "Bates Motel" is a contemporary prequel to the genre-defining film "Psycho," and promises to give viewers an intimate portrayal of how Norman Bates' psyche unravels through his teenage years. Fans will have access to the dark, twisted backstory of Norman Bates and how deeply intricate his relationship with his mother, Norma, truly is. The series stars Academy Award nominee Vera Farmiga ("Up in the Air," "The Departed"), Freddie Highmore ("Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Finding Neverland"), Max Thieriot ("Disconnect"), Olivia Cooke ("Blackout") and Nicola Peltz ("The Last Airbender"). Season one also co-stars Nestor Carbonell ("Lost," "The Dark Knight Rises") and Mike Vogel ("Pan Am").

"Carlton and Kerry crafted a fascinating backstory for Norman and Norma Bates that has been brought to life by this incredible cast," said DeBitetto. "It's thought provoking television at its finest and we're thrilled to bring it to the A&E family."

In "Bates Motel," following the tragic death of her husband, Norma Bates buys a motel on the outskirts of the idyllic coastal town of White Pine Bay, seeking a fresh start. As Norma and Norman get ensconced in their new home, they discover this town isn't quite what it seems, and the locals aren't so quick to let them in on their secrets. But the Bates' are done being pushed around and will do whatever it takes to survive - and will do whatever it takes to protect their own secrets.

"Bates Motel" is produced by Universal Television for A&E Network. Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin serve as executive producers for Carlton Cuse Productions.

About A&E Network

A&E is "Real Life. Drama." Now reaching more than 99 million homes, A&E is television that you can't turn away from; where unscripted shows are dramatic and scripted dramas are authentic. A&E offers a diverse mix of high quality entertainment ranging from the network's original scripted series, including "The Glades" and "Longmire," to signature non-fiction franchises, including the Emmy-winning "Intervention," "Duck Dynasty," "Hoarders," "Beyond Scared Straight" and "Storage Wars," and the most successful justice shows on cable, including "The First 48." The A&E website is located at www.aetv.com.