<P> The series , a contemporary prequel to Alfred Hitchcock 's 1960 film Psycho ; based on Robert Bloch 's 1959 novel of the same name , depicts the lives of Norman Bates ( Freddie Highmore ) and his mother Norma ( Vera Farmiga ) prior to the events portrayed in the novel and film , albeit in a different fictional town ( White Pine Bay , Oregon , as opposed to Fairvale , California ) and in a modern - day setting . However , the final season loosely adapts the plot of Psycho . Max Thieriot and Olivia Cooke both starred as part of the main cast throughout the series ' run . After recurring in the first season , Nestor Carbonell was added to the main cast from season two onward . </P>
alfred hitchcock movie that spawned tv series bates motel
1960 film Psycho