"Bates Motel" season 5 will be the official end of the series and this was confirmed by Variety during this year's San Diego Comic Con. It has also been announced, as per the Hollywood Reporter, that singer-actress Rihanna has been cast as Marion Crane, originally played by Janet Leigh in the original "Psycho" movie.
In the report, showrunner and executive producer Kerry Ehrin stated that ever since the first season began they had already envisioned the series to have only five seasons, giving it a definitive beginning, middle and end as they explore the downward spiral of Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore).
The executive producer continued to explain that season 5 will intersect with events from the film but will not be a direct adaptation. It is also confirmed that season 5 will a definitive resolution to properly end the show without leaving the audiences hanging.
Marion played a small but significant role in "Psycho" and it was her death that propelled the film's story forward. It is speculated that Marion will have a larger role in "Bates Motel" season 5 given that the show is not going to directly adapt the film's story.
"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," explained executive producers Cartlon Cuse and Kerry Ehrin.
In a separate report from TVLine, it is revealed that actress Vera Farmiga will still be present but now as "Mother," Norman's imaginary version of Norma Bates, given that he had murdered his mother in season 4. This is the same persona that was shown in "Psycho."
"Bates Motel" season 5 will premiere sometime in 2017.
