
Scripted series · A&E
Bates Motel
Together until the end.
Who's in it
Cast
The principal ensemble across the run of the series.
The Nutevio profile
TV DNA
How Bates Motel actually feels to watch, measured on the traits our editors track across every series.
Signature profile
Bates Motel reads strongest on Tension, Character Depth and Cliffhanger Intensity.
The sustained pressure the series keeps you under.
How fully written and psychologically layered the ensemble is.
How often an episode ends on a hook you can't ignore.
How hard it is to stop after one episode.
How much the series is designed to affect you.
How much each hour depends on the one before it.
Visual ambition — scale, craft and set-piece filmmaking.
The scale, internal logic and texture of the world.
How often the series is genuinely funny, by design.
The story
What it's about
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.
The run
Seasons
5 seasons · 50 episodes.

Season 0 · Complete
Specials
201411 episodes

Season 1 · Complete
Season 1
201310 episodes
7.6IMDbAfter 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.
Best episode · S01E10 Midnight

Season 2 · Complete
Season 2
201410 episodes
8.0IMDbIn the aftermath of Miss Watson's murder, Norman's innocence is buried under blackouts, suspicious characters, and his strange behavior. Meanwhile, Norma faces dark truths of her own when family secrets begin to unravel and looming threats from local villains jeopardize her stab at happiness.
Best episode · S02E10 The Immutable Truth

Season 3 · Complete
Season 3
201510 episodes
8.0IMDbAfter a blissful summer of closeness with his mother in the safe confines of her home, Norman returns to school and is flooded with fears about what really happened with Miss Watson.
Best episode · S03E06 Norma Louise

Season 4 · Complete
Season 4
201610 episodes
8.3IMDbAs Norman continues to spiral out of control, Norma's desperation to help her son amplifies. Growing increasingly fearful of him, she goes to great lengths to find him the professional help he needs.
Best episode · S04E09 Forever

Season 5 · Complete
Season 5
201710 episodes
8.3IMDbTwo years later, Norman has descended into full-blown psychosis. To the public, he's a happy and well-adjusted member of the White Pine Bay community, but at home his violent blackouts continue to increase as 'Mother' threatens to take over his mind completely.
Best episode · S05E10 The Cord
Where the series peaks
Best Episodes
The hours that define the show, ranked by audience response and editorial signal.

S04E09 · Signature episode
Forever
Norma and Norman try to reconnect as they plan for the future. Frustrated by Norma's blind eye, Romero and Dylan decide to take action for Norman's own good.
- Directed by Tim Southam
- Written by Carlton Cuse, Kerry Ehrin

S04E10 · Signature episode
Norman
Norman and Norma's relationship faces its greatest test yet. Romero faces pressure from all sides, and Dylan considers reaching out to Norma but wants nothing to do with her.
- Directed by Tucker Gates
- Written by Kerry Ehrin

S05E10 · Signature episode
The Cord
Norman Bates comes home.
- Directed by Tucker Gates
- Written by Carlton Cuse, Kerry Ehrin

S04E02 · Signature episode
Goodnight, Mother
Norma and Norman face off as each suspects the other of a terrible deed. Dylan considers his future with Emma. Romero makes a choice that will have far-reaching consequences for the Bates family.
- Directed by Tim Southam
- Written by Torrey Speer, Kerry Ehrin

S03E06 · Signature episode
Norma Louise
Norma considers a life outside of White Pine Bay, leaving Norman in a vulnerable position. Dylan and Emma bond while helping Norman through a rough night. Romero is confronted by a new threat. Caleb makes a difficult decision after learning of Norma's sudden departure.
- Directed by Phil Abraham
- Written by Kerry Ehrin

S05E05
Dreams Die First
Norman attempts to piece together Mother's movements. In Seattle, Dylan and Emma confront an ugly truth. Sam's girlfriend, Marion, makes a spur-of-the-moment decision with far-reaching consequences.
- Directed by Nestor Carbonell
- Written by Erica Lipez, Kerry Ehrin
Recently aired
Latest Episodes
S00E11
Gag Reel
S00E09
Closed for Business
S00E07
Origins of a Psycho Inside Bates Motel
S00E10
Paley Center Panel Discussion
S00E06
The Final Check Out

S05E10 · Signature episode
The Cord
- Directed by Tucker Gates
- Written by Carlton Cuse, Kerry Ehrin
Behind the series
Created by
Showrunners, creators, executive producers and the writers who set the voice of the series.

Carlton Cuse
Showrunner
- Photo unavailable
Kerry Ehrin
Creator

Anthony Cipriano
Creator

Vera Farmiga
Executive producer

Roy Lee
Executive producer
- Photo unavailable
Tucker Gates
Executive producer

John Powers Middleton
Executive producer
- Photo unavailable
Mark Wolper
Executive producer
- Photo unavailable
Torrey Speer
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Erica Lipez
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Alyson Evans
Writer

Freddie Highmore
Writer

Jeff Wadlow
Writer

Tom Szentgyorgyi
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Philip Buiser
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Alexandra Cunningham
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Bill Balas
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Scott Kosar
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Liz Tigelaar
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Steve Kornacki
Writer

Nikki Toscano
Writer
The craft
Key Crew
Directing, writing, production, camera, music and editing.
Executive production
- Tim SouthamProducer
- Justis GreeneProducer
- Erica LipezProducer
- Christopher NelsonProducer
- Vera FarmigaExecutive Producer
- Vera FarmigaProducer
Writing
- Torrey SpeerWriter
- Erica LipezWriter
- Alyson EvansWriter
- Freddie HighmoreWriter
- Jeff WadlowWriter
- Carlton CuseWriter
Direction
- Tim SouthamDirector
- Christopher NelsonDirector
- Stephen SurjikDirector
- Freddie HighmoreDirector
- John David ColesDirector
- Nestor CarbonellDirector
Cinematography
- Thomas YatskoDirector of Photography
- John S. BartleyDirector of Photography
Recognition
Awards
1 win · 4 nominations
Primetime Emmy Awards
No wins yet · 1 nomination
- NomineePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series2013
Bates Motel · Bates Motel
Saturn Awards
1 win · latest 2014
- WinnerSaturn Award for Best Actress on Television2014
Bates Motel · Bates Motel
Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama
No wins yet · 1 nomination
- NomineeSatellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama2013
Bates Motel · Bates Motel
Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama
No wins yet · 1 nomination
- NomineeSatellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama2013
Bates Motel · Bates Motel
TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Drama
No wins yet · 1 nomination
- NomineeTCA Award for Individual Achievement in Drama2013
Bates Motel · Bates Motel
Where to watch
Streaming
Availability verified against regional listings.
- Amazon Prime VideoStreaming
- Amazon VideoBuy
- Apple TV StoreBuy
- Google Play MoviesBuy
- Fandango At HomeBuy
- Amazon Prime Video with AdsStreaming
If you liked this
Similar Series
Series that share this one's texture, not just its genre tags.
Where to go from here
Watch Next
Our editors' suggestion for the show you should start tonight — and why.
Never stop watching
Related Collections
No related collections yet
This title isn't in a published Nutevio collection yet. It will appear here automatically as soon as it is.
Join the conversation




























































