Michael Vartan to play love interest for Norma Bates in 'Bates Motel' Actress Vera Farmiga who plays paranormal investigator Lorraine Wilson attends the premiere of "The Conjuring" at the Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles on July 15, 2013. Based upon a true story, the movie tells of world renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren and how they were called upon to help a terrorized family at a secluded farmhouse. LOS ANGELES, July 24 (UPI) -- Michael Vartan is to play a new interest for Vera Farmiga's character Norma Bates on the U.S. drama series "Bates Motel," TV Line reported. The former "Alias" and "Hawthorne" co-star will join the show's cast for its second season. He will play the recurring character of George, a charming divorced man who catches Norma's eye, the television news website said. "Bates Motel," a prequel series about the characters made famous in Alfred Hitchcock's iconic film "Psycho," is to kick off its second season in 2014.