Updated April 8, 2013 – In 1×04 Trust Me, the Sheriff & Deputy Sheriff are called to the docks where a fisherman has found murdered Keith Summers’s hand in his net.
A&E’s contemporary Psycho prequel series Bates Motel focuses on a younger version of Psycho movie killer Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) in present-day Oregon and explores his relationship with his unhinged mother Norma Bates (Vera Farmiga) as he approaches his evil destiny. Described as a cross between Twin Peaks and Smallville, it’s Lost co-showrunner Carlton Cuse’s new show.
So it’s not surprising that Lost fan favourite Nestor Carbonell (who still gets asked if he wears eyeliner) is on board as the Sinister Sheriff. When I spotted White Pine Bay County Sheriff cars on the Steveston docks I hoped that Carbonell would be on set. Other sheriff staff walked up from the fishing boat where Bates Motel was filming but no Sinister one until the end. Carbonell’s Sheriff [Alex Romero] and Mike Vogel’s deputy Sheriff [Zack Shelby] left after the final scene on the docks. As Carbonell walked by me I asked him why he was Sinister and got a laugh and a smile but no details.
Crew rolled its filming equipment to the next location at George’s Taverna on Moncton Street, including the set chairs.
I didn’t see any of the filming at George’s Taverna but noticed a prop newspaper box for The Oregonian on the street. This suggests the fictional White Pine Bay County is in Oregon, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Across the street from George’s Taverna was a vintage Mercedes on a car rig. Balloon lights and hoists set up around Steveston streets suggested there would be driving scenes filmed at the night shoot but I couldn’t stay to see. [Update: Bates Motel filmed scenes of Norma (Vera Farmiga) and Norman (Freddie Highmore) driving around looking for the dump where they left some incriminating carpet.]
The first 10 episodes of Bates Motel are expected to air sometime in 2013 on A&E.