Vera Farmiga to star in a 'Psycho' prequel for TV

Vera Farmiga has been cast as Norma Bates, mother of Psycho's serial killer, in Bates Motel, a TV series to be shown on US network A&E.

After supporting roles in The Departed and Up in the Air, Vera Farmiga will star in a ten-episode series presented as a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's classical horror film.

She will portray Norma Bates, a key person in the construction of Norman Bates's complex personality, the serial killer portrayed by Anthony Perkins in the original film released in 1960.

A former Lost head honcho, Carlton Cuse, is in charge of writing the drama devoted to one of the most famous murderers on screen.

A&E plans to air Bates Motel in 2013.