Bates Motel Renewed for Season 2 by A&E

Psycho prequel starring Freddie Highmore as a young Norman Bates is the most-watched original drama in the network's history

Business is booming!

Bates Motel has been renewed for a second season by A&E, the network announced Monday.

The modern-set Psycho prequel, which stars Freddie Highmore as a younger Norman Bates, pre-murder spree while wearing his mother's clothes, will return in 2014 for a 10-episode sophomore season.

Bates Motel, which comes from Lost mastermind Cartlon Cuse and Kerry Ehrin and also stars Vera Farmiga as Norman's twisted mother Norma, is A&E's most-watched original drama in the network's history; its series premiere brought in 3 million viewers and it only lost a small percentage of viewers in its second outing.

"Bates Motel has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal audience in its first few weeks," Bob DeBitetto, president and GM of A&E, said in a statement. "With superb writing and exceptional acting, led by the critically acclaimed performances of Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore, we're incredibly excited to see where Carlton and Kerry take Norma and Norman Bates next."

The cast and crew will begin production on the new season later this year.

Bates Motel airs Monday at 10 p.m. on A&E.