Norma Bates (Vera Farmiga) was killed off at the end of "Bates Motel" season 4 but despite this, she will be appearing as a main character in season 5 as the series begins to adapt the story from the original "Psycho" movie. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the character is still going to be at the center of the story.
"Vera will always be the center of the show in any incarnation because the obsession with her has always driven the show," explained showrunner Kerry Ehrin, alluding to how the show will keep Norma present due to how her son Norman (Freddie Highmore) continues to see her in his mind.
Showrunner Carlton Cuse also stated that this sudden death will ripple into the events of season 5. According to Cuse, season 5 will adapt the story of "Psycho" but will maintain its own identity by deviating just a bit from what the movie did, with characters and events playing out slightly different.
Fans speculate that this means the version of Norma in season 5 will be very different than the real Norma from seasons 1 to 4 given that this new one is based on the projections from Norman's psyche. This was hinted at during the season 4 finale where the vision of Norma suited everything that Norman desired, without her human flaws.
It was previously reported that Marion Crane, who appears in "Psycho," will appear in season 5 and the manner of Norman's interaction with her will be affected by his visions of Norma. This may lead to Marion's eventual death when Norman blacks out and becomes Norma, stabbing Marion in one of the motel rooms.
Unfortunately, the interview does not resolve how Norman will deal with Sheriff Romero (Nestor Carbonell), who was picked up by the DEA during the season 4 finale. In "Psycho" it was revealed Norman killed the Sheriff and his mother and it is speculated that during season 5 Norman will finally finish the job, turning into Norma before he kills Romero.
"Bates Motel" season 5 is expected to premiere by 2017.
