Freddie Highmore to play Norman Bates in Bates Motel

Update! : The Hollywood Reporter adds that Max Thierot (“House at the End of the Street”) will play Dylan Bates, Norman’s bro, in the series.

Freddie Highmore has, rather judiciously and fittingly, been cast as a young Norman Bates in “Psycho” spin-off series “Bates Motel”, according to TV Guide.

The A& E series, also starring Vera Farmiga as Bates’ mother Norma, is a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s movie and tells the back-story of the rather loopy motel owner and his controlling mama.

The role marks one of Highmore’s – who has been a child actor up til now, appearing in such films as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “The Spiderwick Chronicles” – first adult roles.