BATES MOTEL - A&E Orders 10 Episodes of PSYCHO Prequel

A&E must have something special on their hands with Bates Motel, the prequel series inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 classic Psycho which will follow Norman Bates' formative years. The cable network will begin preproduction and casting for the show immediately, bypassing the traditional pilot stage, and ordered 10-episodes for the series that will delve into Bates’ dark, twisted backstory from childhood through his teen years and will chronicle how his mother, Norma, and her lover damaged Norman, shaping him in a serial killer. The series is being compred to a cross between Twin Peaks and Smallville.

Anthony Cipriano penned the pilot script, but this project really gained steam when former Lost show-runner Carlton Cuse joined the the production in March. With Friday Night Lights' Kerry Ehrin also on board, it's no wonder A&E is willing to get a jump on this series.

A&E exec vp programming Dave McKillop said in a joint statement, "It's a provocative project from two of the best storytellers in the business, and we’re looking forward to getting started."

A&E is aiming for a 2013 premiere. James D'Arcy will be somewhat taking on the role of Bates in the Anthony Hopkins starrer Hitchcock, portraying Anthony Perkins, who played Norman Bates in 1960's Psycho. What young actors out there do you think would make a good Norman Bates for this series?