
With Season 4 of
Bates Motel, which premiered March 7th, speeding toward its conclusion, fans have been highly anticipating several plot and production milestones, including the ever-intensifying relationship between Norma (Vera Farmiga) and Romero (Nestor Carbonell), Norman (Freddie Highmore)’s steady decline into psychosis, Carbonell’s second episode as a director, and Highmore’s debut as a writer on Episode 8, “Unfaithful.” Executive Producer Carlton Cuse and actor/director Nestor Carbonell talked about all these elements and more during a conference call.
“…in terms of Norma [and] Romero, that was something we really thought about from the very beginning. But what we didn’t anticipate was the incredible chemistry that existed between Nestor and Vera. And so that story line kind of was amplified. And really just became so much more heated up by the fact that, you know, the two actor are so amazing and so kind of connected,” said Cuse, regarding the escalation of Norma and Romero’s relationship.
Carbonell echoed Cuse’s comments on Norma and Romero, adding his insight on what makes the couple tick: “…They’re both strong and assertive personalities that have had to fight for everything. And I think Romero sees his counterpart in Norma in that respect. And she’s a woman who’s come to this town and completely bucked conventionally in town and gone against all of the things that you’re supposed to, [including] the council. Just the typical ways you’re meant to go about doing things in this kooky town of White Pine Bay. And I think Romero loves that in her and has certainly warmed to her.”