'Bates Motel' Stars Update: Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot, Olivia Cooke, and More

Bates Motel has concluded, but its main stars like Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot, and Olivia Cooke are still appearing on our screens.

The A&E series aired from 2013 to 2017 and served as a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film Psycho. It was based on Robert Bloch's 1959 novel of the same name, focusing on Norman Bates (played by Freddie) and the motel where his infamous murders take place.

Bates Motel kicks off the story by showing Norman as a teenager moving to Oregon with his mother, Norma (played by Vera Farmiga). They aim to start anew following his father's sudden passing, but Norman's declining mental health leads to complications.

In its final season, the show loosely followed the plot of Psycho, portraying Norman as an adult managing the motel while hiding his mother's remains on the property. Bates Motel expanded the Psycho universe by introducing new characters like Norman's half-brother, Dylan (Thieriot), his close friend Emma (Cooke), and Norma's love interest, Sheriff Alex Romero (Néstor Carbonell).

After the finale, Highmore shared his thoughts on a potential reunion in the future. He mentioned in a 2017 interview with TVLine that there is little hope for another season or additional episodes since Norman's character was killed off at the end. Highmore also expressed uncertainty about what a Christmas reunion would entail, suggesting a scenario where Norma and Norman could be together on a beach in Hawaii or even in Heaven.

Keep scrolling to find out what the cast of Bates Motel is up to now.

Bates Motel Cast Then Now

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Catching Up with the 'Bates Motel' Cast

Bates Motel may have wrapped up, but fans can still catch their favorite stars like Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot, and Olivia Cooke on various screen projects.

The A&E series aired from 2013 to 2017 and served as a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film Psycho. It was based on Robert Bloch's 1959 novel of the same name, focusing on Norman Bates (played by Freddie) and the motel that becomes the setting for his murders.

In Bates Motel, the story begins by introducing Norman as a teenager who moves to Oregon with his mother, Norma (portrayed by Vera Farmiga). They aim to start anew after his father's sudden passing, but Norman's declining mental health leads to complications.

The final season of the show loosely followed the plot of Psycho, where Norman is now an adult running the motel while hiding his mother's remains on the property. Bates Motel introduced new characters like Norman's half-brother, Dylan, his best friend Emma, and Norma's love interest, Sheriff Alex Romero.

Highmore shared his thoughts on a possible reunion after the finale in 2017, saying, "There’s no hope of coming back for another season or doing a few more episodes in the future since Norman was killed at the end. I’m not sure what a Christmas reunion would look like. Maybe Norma and Norman will be on a beach in Hawaii Heaven."

Keep scrolling to see where the cast of Bates Motel are now:

Bates Motel Cast Then Now

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Freddie Highmore

Highmore's success portraying Norman Bates for four years led to a lead role on ABC's The Good Doctor. In the show, he played Dr. Shaun Murphy, also taking on the roles of executive producer, writer, and director for some episodes.

Highmore also showcased his talent on the big screen, lending his voice to characters in Dragon Rider and The Canterville Ghost before taking on a starring role in The Vault.

Highmore revealed in September 2021 that he married Klarissa Munz. 

Bates Motel Cast Then Now

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Vera Farmiga

Farmiga has been keeping busy with various TV shows and movies since her role as Norma Bates. She appeared in shows like When They See Us and Five Days at Memorial, and recently joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the Hawkeye miniseries as Eleanor Bishop. Upcoming projects for Farmiga include The Corps and Gossamer.

In addition to her TV work, Farmiga has also landed roles in several movies. Fans can catch her in films like Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Annabelle Comes Home, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, The Nun II, Origin, and Ezra.

After divorcing Sebastian Roché in 2004, Farmiga found happiness with Renn Hawkey. They have two children together, son Fynn and daughter Gytta. Highmore became Fynn's godfather a few years after he was born in 2009.

Bates Motel Cast Then Now

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Max Thieriot

The actor, who portrayed Norman's brother Dylan Massett on Bates Motel, later starred as Clay on SEAL Team and created the popular series Fire Country on CBS. Thieriot also directed episodes for all three shows.

In addition to his acting career, Thieriot is also a co-owner of several vineyards and the wine label Senses, which he runs with his childhood friends Christopher Strieter and Myles Lawrence-Briggs.

Thieriot has been engaged to Alexis Murphy since 2012. The couple, who started dating as teenagers, share two sons (born in 2015 and 2018, respectively).

Bates Motel Cast Then Now

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Olivia Cooke

After portraying Emma, Cooke went on to star in Vanity Fair, Modern Love, Slow Horses, and is now seen as Alicent Hightower in HBO's House of the Dragon. She has also landed roles in movies such as Thoroughbreds, Ready Player One, Life Itself, Little Fish, and The Good Mother.

Bates Motel Cast Then Now

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Nicola Peltz

Bates Motel fans fondly remember Peltz for her role as Norman's classmate and love interest, Bradley. She has also appeared in small roles on TV shows like Inhumans and Welcome to Chippendales, as well as in movies such as Back Roads, Our House, and Holidate. In 2024, Peltz made her directorial debut with the film Lola, where she also wrote and starred in.

In 2020, Peltz got engaged to Brooklyn Beckham after dating for several years. The couple tied the knot in 2022 and decided to change their last name to Peltz-Beckham.

Bates Motel Cast Then Now

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Nestor Carbonell

Nestor Carbonell captured our hearts with his role as Alex Romero in Bates Motel on A&E. He has also appeared in TV shows like Midnight, Texas, The Morning Show, and Shōgun. In addition to his television work, Carbonell has starred in movies such as Bandit, Medicine Men, Clawfoot, and The Image of You.

Carbonell shares two sons with wife Shannon Kenny, whom he married in 2001. 

Bates Motel Cast Then Now

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Kenny Johnson

Viewers were in for a surprise when Johnson appeared on the show as Norma's estranged brother, Caleb. Now, Johnson is the lead on S.W.A.T. and has also been seen on Mayor of Kingstown.

Johnson tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend Cathleen Oveson in 2005. Four years later, they welcomed a daughter into their family.

In 2018, Johnson suffered unspecified injuries while filming season 2 of S.W.A.T. and he sued production company Sony for negligence. The case was settled in February 2023.

Editor's P/S:

The Bates Motel cast has embarked on diverse paths since the show's conclusion. Freddie Highmore's portrayal of Norman Bates propelled him to further success in "The Good Doctor," while Vera Farmiga's versatility has shone in numerous films and TV series. Max Thieriot has seamlessly transitioned between acting and directing, showcasing his multifaceted talents. Olivia Cooke's captivating performances in "House of the Dragon" and other notable works continue to cement her status as a rising star. These former Bates Motel stars have all left an enduring mark on the entertainment industry, showcasing their remarkable range and adaptability.

The article also highlights the personal lives of the cast members, shedding light on their families, marriages, and other endeavors. Max Thieriot's involvement in the wine industry and Nicola Peltz's directorial debut are examples of the multifaceted pursuits these actors have undertaken. These insights into their off-screen lives provide a glimpse into their passions and aspirations beyond the roles they played in Bates Motel. Bates Motel's success serves as a reminder of the enduring power of storytelling and the impact it can have on audiences.