Mia Tomlinson has spoken about taking over the role of Judy Warren in The Conjuring: Last Rites, making her the third actor to play the part. The upcoming horror sequel continues the hit Conjuring franchise, centered on Ed and Lorraine Warren’s chilling paranormal cases. Now featuring an older version of Judy, The Conjuring 4 follows Ed and Lorraine as they embark on their final case.

Judy was first portrayed by Sterling Jerins before McKenna Grace took over the role in Annabelle Comes Home. Both actresses brought different perspectives to the character, and now, with Judy appearing at a later stage in life, Tomlinson has inherited the role, emphasizing both the respect she has for past performances and the unique creative space she was given by director Michael Chaves.

In an interview with Screen Rant, Tomlinson admitted it was initially daunting to follow in the footsteps of two acclaimed child stars. However, Judy’s natural aging justified a new portrayal, and Chaves, who directed The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It and now returns for The Conjuring 4, encouraged her to find Judy in her own way. Read her comments below:

Yeah, of course. It’s always a bit apprehensive when you’re picking it up from somebody else, like Sterling and Mckenna in this case, and I have absolute respect for their performances. We’re seeing Judy when she’s quite a bit older now, so of course, she has to age. I took pieces from their performances, but Michael [Chaves] was really focused on allowing me the space and the time to breathe while creating a role for myself.

Unlike her predecessors, Tomlinson had the opportunity to speak directly with the real Judy Warren, who is still alive and open about her experiences. Their conversations provided insight into Judy’s complicated feelings growing up as the daughter of famous paranormal investigators. According to Tomlinson, Judy was always reluctant to engage with the supernatural. Read the rest of Tomlinson’s comments below:

I had a lot of gems and pieces from Judy Warren, who is still around, and she gave me so much information and was really generous with her time. We spoke in depth about what it was like to grow up as a Warren, and how she felt. She doesn’t want anything to do with it. She can’t help but see these things, but really, she keeps it at arm’s length. She’s not like Lorraine.

Her mantra, which I’m sharing quite a lot, really says it all. Judy told me that she used to say, “Don’t look it in the eyes, don’t give it recognition.” And that was something that I took with me as this character. I’m such an energetic, kooky person, so it was really difficult for me. It was a challenge. It’s an actor’s challenge to play a role where you’re keeping that all in, and all the tension is bubbling.

I definitely used my own energy, but tried to bottle it and keep myself grounded with Judy’s mantra. Mckenna Grace did a very good job of that in Annabelle Comes Home. We see a lot of that sort of guarded approach, which is beautiful for Judy.

What This Means For The Conjuring: Last Rites

Tomlinson’s casting indicates that Last Rites is expanding the scope of Judy Warren’s role. By portraying her as an older, more grounded character, the film has the chance to explore how the legacy of her parents’ work has shaped her into adulthood. This approach opens the door to new storylines while still tying into the real-life Warren lore that audiences know well.

Her insight from the real Judy also ensures that the performance is based on Judy’s real-life experiences rather than just continuity with previous films and performances. By carrying that authenticity into the last entry of The Conjuring franchise, Tomlinson helps bridge fact and fiction, giving Judy Warren a voice that feels more personal.

This shift also highlights how The Conjuring 4 could serve as a natural endpoint for the franchise. It’s a thoughtful way to evolve a character who has been a part of the franchise since the beginning. By focusing on Judy as an older character, the film has a chance to close out Ed and Lorraine’s story while giving their daughter a stronger voice in the narrative.

Our Take On Judy’s Recasting

Recasting can always be risky, especially when it concerns a character audiences have already grown attached to. But in this case, Judy Warren’s aging is warranted, and Tomlinson’s careful preparation shows she’s taking the role seriously. Her respect for previous portrayals helps maintain continuity, but her direct conversations with the real Judy allow her to carve out something distinct.

Tomlinson’s balance of restraint, respect, and authenticity could make Judy Warren more compelling than ever before. If The Conjuring: Last Rites truly positions her as a central figure, the franchise may finally give the character the recognition she deserves, moving beyond Ed and Lorraine to emphasize how the Warren family legacy continues.