| Season Number: | 1 |
| Bgcolour: |
|
| Network: | A&E |
| Num Episodes: | 10 |
| Episode List: | List of Bates Motel episodes |
The first season of Bates Motel aired from March 18-May 20, 2013. The season consisted of 10 episodes and aired on Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on A&E. The series is described as a "contemporary prequel" to the 1960 film Psycho and follows the life of Norman Bates and his mother Norma prior to the events portrayed in the Hitchcock film.[1] The series takes place in the fictional town of White Pine Bay, Oregon.
The season received positive reviews from television critics. In its premiere episode, the series broke rating records for an original drama series on A&E, drawing in a total of 3.04 million viewers. Bates Motel was renewed for a second season after three episodes of the first season had aired. Vera Farmiga received particular praise for her performance as Norma Louise Bates, she won the 2013 Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television, and was nominated for the 2013 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, the 2013 Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series, and the 2013 TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Drama.[2] The first season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 17, 2013.[3]
A&E gave Bates Motel a straight-to-series order in July 2012.[4] Vera Farmiga was the first to be cast, as protagonist Norma Louise Bates in August.[5] Shortly after, Freddie Highmore was cast as Norman Bates in September.[6] The same month, Max Thieriot was cast as Norman's half brother, Dylan Massett.[7] Nicola Peltz was cast as Bradley Martin.[8] Olivia Cooke was the final main cast member to join the series, portraying Emma Decody.[9]
A replica of the original Bates Motel set from the film Psycho was built on location in Aldergrove, British Columbia on 272nd Street, where the series is filmed.[10] [11] Production also took place in Greater Vancouver, and Richmond, British Columbia. Principal photography for the first season began on October 1, 2012.[12] [13] Though filming for the first season was expected to wrap on January 24, 2013, production continued into early February.[14]
See main article: List of Bates Motel episodes.
The first season of Bates Motel received mostly positive reviews. It received 66 out of 100 from Metacritic, based on 34 critical responses, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[15] Rotten Tomatoes aggregated that 81% of 37 television critics gave the series a positive review. The site's consensus reads, "Bates Motel utilizes mind manipulation and suspenseful fear tactics, on top of consistently sharp character work and wonderfully uncomfortable familial relationships".[16] A&E renewed the series for a second season following the positive reviews and good ratings after the first three episodes.[17]
On its premiere night, the series broke rating records for an original drama series on A&E. It drew in a strong 3.04 million viewers total, including 1.6 million viewers watching it in the 18-49 demographic.[18] The season finale episode drew in a total of 2.70 million viewers, with a 1.2 ratings share in the 18–49 demo. Overall, the first season averaged 2.70 million viewers, with 1.5 million tuning in from both the 18–49 and 25–54 demographics.[19]
See main article: List of awards and nominations received by Bates Motel. In its first season, Bates Motel was nominated for 24 awards, winning one.
| width=4% | Year | width=25% | Awards | width=29% | Category | width=31% | Nominee(s) | width=8% | Result | width=3% class=unsortable | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3rd Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Actress in a Drama Series | Vera Farmiga | [20] | |||||||
| 29th Television Critics Association Awards | Individual Achievement in Drama | [21] | |||||||||
| 65th Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | [22] | |||||||||
| 17th Online Film & Television Association Awards | Best Actress in a Drama Series | [23] | |||||||||
| Best Cinematography in a Series | John S. Bartley, Thomas Yatsko | ||||||||||
| Best Production Design in a Series | Peter Bodnarus, Mark S. Freeborn, Margot Ready, Rose Marie McSherry | ||||||||||
| 28th Imagen Awards | Best Supporting Actor – Television | Nestor Carbonell | [24] | ||||||||
| Outstanding Achievement in Casting | April Webster, Sara Isaacson, Jennifer Page, Corinne Clark | [25] | |||||||||
| Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards | Best Contemporary Hairstyling – Television and New Media Series | Donna Bis | [26] | ||||||||
| Best Drama Series | Bates Motel | [27] | |||||||||
| Best Actress – Drama Series | Vera Farmiga | ||||||||||
| TV Performance of the Year – Actress | [28] | ||||||||||
| Gold Derby Awards | Best Lead Actress in a Drama | [29] | |||||||||
| Breakthrough Performer of the Year | Freddie Highmore | ||||||||||
| Television | Favorite TV Anti-Hero | [30] | |||||||||
| Best Actor – Television Series Drama | [31] | ||||||||||
| Best Actress – Television Series Drama | Vera Farmiga | ||||||||||
| ACTRA Awards | Best Actor | Vincent Gale | [32] | ||||||||
| IGN Awards | Best New TV Series | Bates Motel | [33] | ||||||||
| Best TV Horror Series | |||||||||||
| Best TV Actress | Vera Farmiga | ||||||||||
| 40th Saturn Awards | Best Actress on Television | [34] | |||||||||
| Best Actor on Television | Freddie Highmore | ||||||||||
| Best Television Presentation | Bates Motel | ||||||||||
| width=100% colspan=6 style=font-size:8pt align=center | The listed years are of television release, annual ceremonies are usually held the following year |