'Bates Motel' renewed for a second season by A&E

Credit: A&E

A&E is keeping the lights on at Bates Motel a little longer.

The network has handed down a renewal to the freshman series, a moody character study that serves as a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's legendary 1960 film Psycho, though the story is transplanted to a modern setting. The series stars Vera Farmiga as Norma Bates, mother to future psychopath Norman, played by Freddie Highmore.

The show's premiere broke records for an original drama on A&E, drawing 3 million viewers, 1.6 million of which were in the key 18-49 demographic. Pre-production will begin on the 10-episode second season later this year for a 2014 premiere.

Via: TVLine.com