A&E orders Season 2 of 'Psycho' prequel 'Bates Motel'

NEW YORK, April 9 (UPI) -- Cable network A&E says it has ordered a second season of its Oregon-set drama series, "Bates Motel," starring Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga.

The renewal announcement was made Monday 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," DeBitetto said in a statement. "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 [producers Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin] take Norma and Norman Bates next."

Season 2 of "Bates Motel" will begin pre-production later this year on 10 new episodes slated to premiere in 2014.

The show is a prequel to the classic thriller film, "Psycho," and follows domineering mother Norma Bates and her indulgent son, Norman, as they move from Arizona to Oregon to run an old motel after the death of Norman's father.