A&E Orders Carlton Cuse's 'Psycho' Prequel 'Bates Motel' Straight to Series

Courtesy of Everett Collection; Getty Images

Hitchcock's "Psycho" and Carlton Cuse

A&E is checking in to the Bates Motel.

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The cable network has opted to bypass the traditional pilot stage and order its Psycho prequel Bates Motel straight to series.

From Lost's Carlton Cuse and Friday Night Lights' Kerry Ehrin, the series is inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 classic Psycho and is described as a contemporary exploration of Norman Bates' formative years. It will explore his relationship with his mother, Norma, and offer a look at the backstory that helped forge the infamous serial killer. It's been dubbed as a cross between Twin Peaks and Smallville.

STORY: 'Psycho' Prequel Series 'Bates Motel' in the Works at A&E

The series, which will begin preproduction and casting immediately, is scheduled for a 2013 premiere on A&E. Cuse and Ehrin will executive produce the Universal Television and Carlton Cuse Productions effort. Anthony Cipriano penned the pilot script.

"We are proud to be partnering with Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin on their thrilling reinvention of one of the most compelling characters in cinematic history," A&E president and GM Bob DeBitetto and A&E exec vp programming Dave McKillop said in a joint statement announcing the news Monday. "It's a provocative project from two of the best storytellers in the business, and we’re looking forward to getting started."

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A&E first announced it was developing the prequel to Hitchcock's Anthony Perkins starrer at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour in January. Cuse boarded the effort, which is being produced by Mark Wolper and Roy Lee, in March.

Bates Motel marks former Lost co-showrunner Cuse's first TV project since his run on the island-set ABC drama. His fellow Lost EP Damon Lindelof recently inked a rich overall deal with Warner Bros. Television to return to the small screen. Lindelof is developing Tom Perrotta's The Leftovers at HBO, marking his first project since Lost, which he co-created

Bates Motel joins a growing roster of scripted programming at A&E that includes Western drama Longmire, which was renewed for a second season on Friday, and The Glades.

The A&E effort is not the first time a Psycho spinoff has been attempted; NBC aired a 90-minute TV movie titled Bates Motel in 1987. The A&E series also marks the latest serial-killer prequel story, joining NBC's Silence of the Lambs prequel series, Hannibal, which hails from Pushing Daisies creator Bryan Fuller.

Cuse is repped by WME and Del Shaw; Ehrin is with Rothman Brecher.

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