When a series finale airs, it often marks the end of an era—not just for fans, but for the actors who lived and breathed their roles for years. For Freddie Highmore, the conclusion of Bates Motel was nothing short of emotional. After five gripping seasons portraying Norman Bates, the character made famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Highmore found himself facing the weight of a journey that had come to a dramatic and haunting close.
In interviews reflecting on the Bates Motel finale, Highmore confessed that it took a while for the finality of the series to truly sink in. “There was a moment when we wrapped and I thought, ‘This is actually real, it’s all over,’” he shared. “You spend so much time in this world, in this character’s head, and then suddenly, you have to let go.” Freddie Highmore took on the role of Norman Bates at just 20 years old. Known previously for roles in Finding Neverland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Highmore wasn’t the obvious choice for a psychologically unhinged motel owner. Yet he brought unexpected depth and sensitivity to Norman—a performance that earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.
Throughout the show’s run, Highmore navigated Norman’s descent into madness with precision. He captured not only the sinister elements of the character but also his vulnerability, his love for his mother, and his deep internal conflict. This layered portrayal is what helped Bates Motel transcend being just a prequel and become a character study in its own right. At the heart of Bates Motel was the relationship between Norman and his mother, Norma, played brilliantly by Vera Farmiga. Their intense, sometimes disturbing bond was the emotional spine of the series. Highmore has repeatedly spoken about how much he enjoyed working with Farmiga and how their real-life friendship made their on-screen chemistry all the more authentic.
In looking back on the finale, Highmore acknowledged that shooting the last scenes with Farmiga was particularly emotional. “There was this overwhelming feeling of loss,” he said. “It wasn’t just Norman losing Norma—it was me saying goodbye to Vera, to our characters, to that world.” The series finale, titled “The Cord,” aired on April 24, 2017, and brought Norman’s story full circle. In the episode, Norman fully gives in to his delusions, reuniting with an imagined version of Norma and attempting to recreate their life together. It ends in tragedy—as many fans expected—but not without a sense of peace and closure.
Highmore revealed that filming the last scene, in which Norman is finally freed from his torment through death, was oddly cathartic. “In a strange way, it was beautiful,” he said. “We told this dark story, but it was rooted in love. That’s what makes it so tragic.” What made the Bates Motel ending even more poignant was what came next for Highmore. Just months after wrapping the finale, he began filming The Good Doctor, in which he plays Dr. Shaun Murphy, a brilliant surgeon with autism and savant syndrome. The transition from a serial killer to a life-saving doctor was stark, but Highmore embraced it.
“It felt like a necessary shift,” he said. “Norman was so all-consuming. It was important to do something radically different, and Shaun is the opposite in many ways—he’s hopeful, pure, kind. It was a relief to enter that mindset.” Critics praised Highmore for his versatility, noting how seamlessly he pivoted from one challenging role to another. His ability to embody two vastly different characters back-to-back only underscored his talent and range as an actor.
Even as The Good Doctor found success, Highmore admitted that Norman Bates still lingers in his mind. “You don’t just forget someone like that,” he said. “He was a part of me for five years. I think I’ll always carry him with me, in some way.” The emotional weight of Bates Motel was more than just the character. It was about the entire experience—the growth, the challenges, the friendships. Highmore has often credited the series with shaping him both professionally and personally. “It was the most important chapter of my career,” he stated. “I learned so much—not just about acting, but about storytelling, about empathy, about transformation.”
Bates Motel may have ended, but its legacy lives on, and so does Highmore’s performance. Fans continue to discover the series on streaming platforms, marveling at the delicate balance he brought to such a complex role. With each new viewer, the story finds new life. As Freddie Highmore continues to evolve in his career, Norman Bates will remain a defining role—one that challenged and changed him. “It was a privilege to play him,” Highmore concluded. “And saying goodbye was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.”
In the end, Bates Motel wasn’t just a horror drama—it was a tragic love story, a psychological study, and a showcase of exceptional acting. And at its center was a young man who gave everything to his craft, stepping into darkness so that audiences could feel something real.
