"Bates Motel," returns for a gripping third season filled with family strife, murder and mystery lead by Vera Farmiga (Norma) and Freddie Highmore (Norman). This season focuses on the evolution of the Bates family and dives head first into Norman’s waning ability to stay in denial about what’s happening to him and the lengths he will go to gain control of his fragile psyche. The dramatic events of last season leaves Norma (Vera Farmiga) reluctantly more aware of Norman’s mental fragility and is fearful of what he is capable of. From executive producers Carlton Cuse ("Lost," "The Returned") and Kerry Ehrin ("Friday Night Lights," "Parenthood") "Bates Motel" serves as a contemporary prequel to the genre-defining film Psycho and provides viewers with an intimate portrayal of how Norman Bates unravels through his teenage years. Season 3 promos here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TO12MVSPng
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBO7ulcFeB4
After a blissful summer of closeness with his mother, living within the safe confines of home and the Bates Motel, Norman’s fears about what really happened with Blaire Watson resurface and Norma questions what really happened. Forced to look at the truths about Norman for the first time, their deeply intricate relationship continues to evolve. Norma finds herself turning to the other man in her life, Norman's half-brother, Dylan (Max Thieriot) and begins to rely on him in ways that she never expected. This relationship inevitably triggers jealousy in Norman and a new kind of love triangle between Norma and her two sons erupts. Estranged brother and uncle, Caleb (Kenny Johnson) returns to haunt the family throughout the season challenging the family bond even further. Pressures of the outside world take a hold of the family when newcomers Kevin Rahm (“Mad Men,” “Desperate Housewives”), Tracy Spiradakos (“Revolution”) and Ryan Hurst (“Sons of Anarchy”) arrive at White Pine Bay. After a summer of living at the Bates Motel, Sheriff Romero (Nestor Carbonell) and Norma have grown closer but there will always have that troubling question mark surrounding Norman. Something doesn’t feel right, but spite of his instincts, Romero finds himself continually drawn back to the Bates family -- and to Norma. Emma (Olivia Cooke) also determined to find out what is happening to Norman becomes more emboldened, fearless, goes after the things she wants. Familiar face, Bradley (Nicola Peltz) returns to surprise the family and digs up old memories.
OLIVIA COOKE PICKED AS ONE OF SUNDANCE FESTIVAL’S BREAKOUT STARS (FROM THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)
Six months ago, Olivia Cooke shaved off her luscious auburn locks to play a teen with cancer in the film adaptation of Me & Earl & the Dying Girl. "While I was in the bubble of the film, it didn't feel like a huge thing, but when I came out of the film, that's when it was more difficult," says the English actress, who lives at home with her mom in Manchester when she's not on set in Canada shooting A&E's Bates Motel (she plays Emma, a teen with cystic fibrosis). Cooke, who starred in Universal's horror film Ouija, has also nabbed a coveted role in Paramount's big Ben-Hur remake, slated to shoot early this year.
Memorable moment shooting the movie: "There were a few. I'd just shaved my head and there's a scene when I'm in the bed when Greg [Thomas Mann] comes to visit me and tries to make light of the situation. It was really difficult."
Memorable audition: "There was an audition for a remake of a Disney film, a live-action adaptation. I think I was the first person in the room, and the director kept saying, 'Be more magical! Be magical!' and I didn't know how to be magical. I was trying to widen my eyes more, but it was just not working."
Role models: "I love Kate Winslet. I think as far as role models go, she and Carey Mulligan; they're so wonderful and understated. It seems effortless."
Best advice: "On my first film, The Quiet Ones, I had to do this quite taxing scene and it involved nudity, and I told Jared Harris I was so afraid. And he told me, 'Don't let anyone take advantage of you.' And I think that applies to anything. Don't let anyone take advantage of you, or make you feel extremely uncomfortable."
If you weren't an actor, what would you be doing? "Probably a jewelry maker. I've just started trying my hand at making jewelry. Just really delicate rings and necklaces. I'm saying this — but I've only made one ring."
TV show you can't miss: "Peaky Blinders. And Broadchurch."
Immediate career goal: "I'd like to not play a girl with an ailment again. (Laughs.) I'm being typecast — I think I must really look really sick. It's always a challenge and I'm really happy to get those characters, but I'd like to maybe play someone healthy. Maybe an athlete!"
OLIVIA COOKE BIO
Olivia Cooke was born in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England. She studied ballet and gymnastics before discovering her passion for acting at the age of eight. From there on she began training in the drama program at Oldham Theatre. She was cast in numerous commercials and appeared in the One Direction video Autumn Term.
Upon graduating from the Oldham Theatre School, Olivia won the supporting role of Meg Demoys in the British drama series Blackout (2012). Later that year she appeared in the British horror mini-series The Secret of Crickley Hall (2012), as Nancy Linnet.
Olivia's breakout role was appearing alongside Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga in the American TV series Bates Motel (2013), a prequel to the film Psycho (1960). In it, she played Emma Decody, a teenage girl suffering from cystic fibrosis who has a crush on Freddie's character, Norman Bates. Bates Motel was Olivia’s first American role and her first American audition.
Bates Motel gave Olivia the exposure she needed stateside and as a result she began getting work in feature films. Her first role following Bates Motel was alongside Brenton Thwaites in the sci-fi thriller The Signal (2014), which premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.
Despite her success, Olivia was hoping to continue her studies and auditioned for the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England. Although she made it to the final round of auditions, in the end, she didn’t get accepted into the school. However, the same day she received her rejection letter, she was cast in the horror film The Quiet Ones (2014). Olivia stars opposite Jared Harris and Sam Claflin.
Olivia continues her run in the horror genre in the film Ouija (2014) and recently finished playing a young woman with cancer in the drama Me & Earl & the Dying Girl (2015), for which she shaved her head.