‘Bates Motel’ Season 3 Synopsis Released Ahead Of March 9 Premiere Date; 7 Things To Look Forward To [PHOTOS]

“Bates Motel” is ready to send chills down your spine once again. The “Psycho”-inspired A&E series returns March 9 for its third season, and we’ve got the juicy scoop on what fans can expect:

1. The Mystery Of Blaire Watson Lives On

Blaire Watson (Keegan Connor Tracy), Norman’s (Freddie Highmore) English teacher, was killed in the Season 1 finale. The mystery behind her murder was a major part of Season 2, with the final episode exposing the truth – Norman did it with the encouragement from a hallucination of his mother. Norman was able to pass a lie detector test administered by Sheriff Romero (Nestor Carbonell), but the Blaire Watson story line is far from over.

According to the Season 3 synopsis, “Norman’s fears about what really happened with Blaire Watson resurface and Norma questions what really happened.”

2. A New Love Triangle

This sounds super twisted – expect a “new kind of love triangle” to emerge between Norma (Vera Farmiga), Norman and Dylan (Max Thieriot). That’s right. Norma will be engaging in a love triangle between her two sons, but it’s nothing sexual. As fans of “Bates Motel” know, Norma has an extremely close relationship with her youngest son, Norman. But the mom will be forced to look at certain “truths” about Norman, and she'll turn to Dylan for support. The synopsis teases that she will begin to “rely on him in ways she never expected” – something that “triggers jealousy in Norman.”

3. Uncle Caleb Is Back

Welcome back, Uncle/Daddy Caleb (Kenny Johnson). Norma’s estranged brother Dylan’s dad will return to White Pine Bay to “haunt the family.” His presence will “challenge the family bond even further.”

4. New Characters

“Bates Motel” will be introducing some new faces in Season 3:

James Finnigan – “Blair Witch Project” actor Joshua Leonard will play a character named James Finnigan. TV Line reports that James is a psych professor at the community college who gets tangled up with Norma.

Bob Paris – The character Bob Paris is another one of White Pine Bay’s wealthy residents. Played by “Mad Men” star Kevin Rahm, Bob is the owner of an “elite hunting club” and a former friend of Romero. The pair don’t get along now, but they keep that a secret.

Annika Johnson – Tracy Spiridakos of “Revolution” will be playing Annika Johnson, “a mystery woman who shows up at the motel.”

Chick Hogan – Chick Hogan is just another criminal living in White Pine Bay. Played by “Sons of Anarchy” alum Ryan Hurst, Chick reportedly runs an illegal firearms business and won’t be on the best of terms with Caleb.

5. Sheriff Romero And Norma Romance

Any Sheriff Romero and Norma shippers out there? As if Norma didn’t have enough on her plate with Norman and Dylan, the motel owner will still be tangled up with the White Pine Bay officer.

Fans will remember that Romero moved into the motel after his home was destroyed during a local drug fight. He’ll continue to grow closer to Norma, however the plot description teases that the “the troubling question mark surrounding Norman” is still a disturbing factor in their relationship. Although the family has a lot of issues, Romero will still be “continually drawn back to the Bates family – and to Norma.”

6. Bradley Returns

Norman’s first love is back in action … and stirring up problems. Bradley (Nicola Peltz) left town after killing her dad’s old business partner, Gil (Vincent Gale). His death led to a massive drug war in Pine Bay that left about a dozen men dead. Season 2 ended with the two major drug kings gone and Bradley still unconnected to the murder of Gil – which means that it’s pretty safe for her to return. She’ll reportedly “surprise the family,” as well as “dig up old memories.

7. Will Norman’s Secret Be Revealed?

Norma and Dylan know that something is off with Norman, however they’re still very protective of him. Although Sheriff Romero couldn’t prove Norman’s connection to Blaire Watson’s death, someone else will be looking into Norman – Emma (Olivia Cooke). Although Norman is her friend, the teen will become “more emboldened” and “fearless” as she investigates what could be happening to him.

“Bates Motel” Season 3 premieres on A&E on Mar. 9. What are you looking forward to seeing? Tweet your thoughts to @AmandaTVScoop.