Throwback! Bates Motel FYC! Meeting Vera Farmiga! Freddie Highmore! Visiting The Actual Bates Motel! And More!

When I was thinking of shows to rewatch during this insane time, I wanted to restart Bates Motel because it’s amazing. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. 

So, for this week’s flashback… I thought I would go back to one of my favorite events of all time! The Bates Motel series finale party!

Check it out below!

Can I tell you… I just need to tell you… This was one of the best events I’ve ever gone too. Now, it was frustrating. Just getting on the lot was a clusterfuck. Then we almost didn’t get in, and my blood pressure spiked to high heaven…

But, in the end, it was amazing.

I’m talking about the Bates Motel FYC.

This is a screening of the series finale followed by a q and a with

Vera Farmiga
Freddie Highmore
Kerry Ehrin, executive producer

Then… a party at the actual Bates Motel set. Dying now.

First off… The q and a was great. Both Vera and Freddie really love this series.

“We had that five year trajectory from the start. It was good to know that and prepare for it.” Said Vera Farmiga.

“You reach a point. For instance Norma. We spent a lot of time in the writers room to protect characters. Norma does a lot of stuff that isn’t the exact right way to handle things.” Laughed Kerry EHrin. “That’s all carefully crafted so it’s not redundant.”

The finale was the perfect swan song to the series and this was a wonderful way to say goodbye to one of my favorite all time series.

“I tend to be incredibly nostalgic and cheery. It was an amazing crew. I guess I was hoping against hope we can all come together and do another thing. I guess we will see.” Mentioned Freddie Highmore.

This season follows the passing of Norma Bates and it gave Vera Farmiga a challenge to be a different character while still retaining the essence of Norma.

“I think what was important to recognize, is that Norma was her own person and personality. She had her own hopes. ‘Mother’ was a construct of Norman’s fractured personality.” Stated Vera Farmiga. “Norma had rules and history you had to honor. With Mother there were no rules. I could have farted sprinkles, she was a distinct part of Norman’s personality. I did miss Norma’s joy and her will to persevere. She always got back up and possessed such passion, that is such a beautiful quality to portray and I did miss those notes. I missed the music, the song and dance.”

Talk turned to the ending of the series and what it was like to say goodbye to these characters after five years.

“It had been such a long day, I think I was relived to die!” Laughed Freddie Highmore. “I gave it all I got, it was a great last scene and one of the most challenging ones we’ve ever done. He has to get to the realization that the only way this can end is if Dillon kills him. He has such a range to get to in that small space of time. We’ve been so lucky, Kerry has also fought to keep in the silences.”

“I loved playing dead.” Laughed Vera Farmiga, “I love it, you do or you don’t. I could nap all day, I do love playing dead. But that one was hard because Norman was depleted from what he gave emotionally. Freddie is a gentleman, and wisdom and self control and for some reason he got mad, and I was just giggling.”

“We had a great time on set, but it’s hard to laugh between takes and then go and do a scene like that.” Said Freddie Highmore.

After the panel, the cast stayed and hung out with everyone. I brought my Bates Motel season two presskit and my promo guestbook to get signed. Freddie Highmore signed both for me and dis a quick photo as well.

Then Vera Farmiga, was so adorable. I started babbling and going on and on about loving the series. Vera signed both for me as well and told me that she has the guestbook on her coffee table as well. She was floored I had them.

Then I got a quick photo with her as well.

Both were then ushered to the party.

Sadly, the buses were slow. I mean it took almost 45 minutes to get to the party.

When we were finally there. We saw Freddie and got a quick photo under the Bated Motel sign. Dying now. He also signed a couple posters for me as well.

Vera was doing some press, so we didn’t see her at the party but she was there at one point.

The cool thing is that the entire set was open for people to play in.

We got photos in the car used in the series.

Then we got photos in front of the Bates Motel house.

We also got photos with Norma Bates body, which was actually used in the series.

We did group shots in the shower at the Bates Motel.

And got some pics behind the desk as well.

There were so many pics it was a little crazy.

This was a once in a lifetime event and I had a blast with Lisa, Scotty, Courtney, Wayne, Michael and Robert.

Such an amazing night!