Rhianna to Play Marion Crane in Fifth and Final Season of “Bates Motel”
The classic role of Marion Crane, made famous by Janet Lee in the original 1960 movie, “Psycho,” upon which A&E’s “Bates Motel” is based, will be played in the series’ fifth and final season by Rhianna. The highly anticipated casting announcement was made Friday during the season five panel at San Diego Comic-Con via video:
Video[1] (2) from TNWU on Vimeo.
Creators and executive producers Kerry Ehrin and Carlton Cuse were on the panel with cast Vera Farmiga (“Norma”), Freddie Highmore (“Norman”), Max Thieriot (“Dylan Massett”) and Nestor Carbonell (“Sheriff Alex Romero”) to celebrate the casting announcement, the series and to speak about what to expect in the final season.
“We wanted to thrust the iconic role into a contemporary spotlight and redefine it in a meaningful and exciting new way. We also heard Rihanna was a fan of the show, and we were huge fans of hers, so it was the perfect collision of creativity and fate,” said executive producers Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin.
Additional announcements about season five included: Vera Farmiga returning to executive produce and appear in her Emmy-nominated role as “Norma” after her epic death in the final episodes of season four. Max Thieriot will make his directorial debut and Nestor Carbonell will direct for a third time. Finally, Freddie Highmore will write his second episode alongside executive producers Kerry Ehrin and Carlton Cuse. “Bates Motel” will begin production this fall in Vancouver and will return for an exciting final season in 2017 on A&E.
This contemporary prequel to the genre-defining film Psycho gives viewers an intimate portrayal of how Norman Bates’ psyche unravels through his teenage years. “Bates Motel” gives fans access to the dark, twisted backstory of Norman Bates and how deeply intricate his relationship with his mother, Norma, truly is. The show has gained a legion of devoted fans, who are excited about the news out of San Diego Comic-Con. It’s going to be an edge of the seat wait until 2017.