If you punch links we provide, we may receive compensation.
But willBatesstay true to Hitchcock?
EW turned to showrunner Kerry Ehrin to get the scoop on what’s in store.
Credit: Cate Cameron/A&E Networks; Inset: Adam Larkey
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What can you say of where the new season picks up?
He blames Norman for the death.
No one gets away clean from a dysfunctional family.
A&E Network
It pulls you back in.
He obviously is going to get pulled back in.
He’s very, very isolated and lonely.
A&E Network
But he’s trying.
He’s running the motel.
He’s doing a good job.
He’s doing a good job of covering.
Considering what goes on in Norman’s mind inPsycho, does this Norman really recognize that Norma is dead?
For the most part, no.
It’s too painful of an admission to look at.
We know a dead one, but…
The show is about Norman living with his mother.
She’s very real to Norman.
And Vera is just amazing in everything.
It’s a real interesting character and Vera is amazing as always.
Obviously Max, Vera, Freddie, they all balance the humor really well.
How different is Norman this year?
With Norma gone, is there no one who can stop him?
We don’t know.
That is what we will find out.
He’s very different.
you’re free to imagine the toll that would take on you physically and emotionally.
How did Rihanna’s casting as Marion Crane come together?
We knew Marion Crane was going to be a part of the storytelling for quite a while.
In the interview, she saidBates Motelwas one of her favorite shows.
Carlton had the idea of reaching out to her to do a cameo to play Marion Crane.
Were you up in Vancouver when she filmed her role?
What was she like on set?
Yeah, she was absolutely lovely.
She’s a hardworking, professional, incredibly sweet person.
She was wonderful to work with.
Had you personally been a fan of her music?
Oh yeah, I love her.
What was that atmosphere like on set when she came on, was everybody pretty excited?
Yeah, it was pretty jacked up.
[Laughs] I needed a security badge to get on my own set.
Security was definitely jacked up and everyone was just really excited.
It felt like an event.
It felt like something very special was happening.
That’s always the best part of everything, is that dream world you get into with the talent.
Fans definitely have expectations when it comes to Marion Crane.
Are you staying true toPsycholore or are you trying to subvert expectations and do something different?
We’re definitely doing our own thing.
It would seem utterly irrelevant to just stick to thePsycholore.
It was not easy to structure and work out.
We worked really hard on it and we’re incredibly proud of it.
There’s some great episodes in the last season.
These two different versions of the same story collide in a really explosive way.
Are you playing with timelines?
No, it isn’t so much about timelines, it’s about seeing things that were off-screen inPsycho.
It’s also about telling a more contemporary story about a woman in Marion Crane’s position.
Tell me about your version of Marion Crane.
Are her motivations the same?
We never really got to see that inPsycho, you just see the outside of it.
How does Norman take to Marion?
It’s the collision of theBates Motelstorytelling and then Marion Crane showing up into that.
You said this role expanded; is she around for one episode or multiple episodes?
No, it’s multiple episodes.
Will the infamous shower scene come to life on the show?
Is there a shower scene?
All I can tell you is that we pulledPsychointoBates Motel, not vice versa.
That was always the goal and the fun of it.
You will have to watch and find out!
What surprised you most about what Rihanna brought to the role?
I wouldn’t say we were surprised.
DoesBates Motelhave to end with Norman’s death?
I don’t think it has to end with anyone’s death.
There are things that happen, we have a roster of characters that are gonna meet various fates.
It’s gonna be a roller coaster ride.
We are not doingPsycho.
We go throughPsycho.Psychovisits us, let me put it that way.
We’re definitely doing our own ending ofBates Motel.
Are there other moments that we should be looking out for?
The whole season is threaded through those episodes.
The storytelling, from beginning to end, is threaded through those episodes.
It will resonate through the entire season.
Anything else fans should know before we go into this final season?
Don’t miss it.
It’s a good one.
We’re gonna go out big.
It’s a good ride.
Bates Motelreturns Monday at 10 p.m.
ET on A&E.
