A&E Renews 'Bates Motel' for Season 2

        Monday, April 8 - A&E has picked up a second season of the acclaimed drama series Bates Motel starring Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore from executive producers Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin, it was announced today by Bob DeBitetto, President and General Manager of A&E Network and BIO Channel.

        "Bates Motel has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal audience in its first few weeks," said DeBitetto. "With superb writing and exceptional acting, led by the critically acclaimed performances of Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore, we're incredibly excited to see where Carlton and Kerry take Norma and Norman Bates next."

        The premiere of Bates Motel garnered 4.5 million total viewers and 2.5 million adults 25-54 and 18-49, based on Live+7 viewership, making it the most-watched original drama debut in the key demos in the network's history.

        The ten episode second season of Bates Motel will begin pre-production later this year with a slated premiere in early 2014.

        Bates Motel also stars Max Thieriot, Olivia Cooke, Nicola Peltz and Nestor Carbonell.