Age: 45
male
Jasper Pääkkönen (born July 15, 1980) is a Finnish actor and entrepreneur. Pääkkönen became famous in Finland playing Saku Salin in the Finnish television soap opera Salatut elämät (1999–2002) and have since then starred in many #1 Finnish box office hits, including Bad Boys (2003), Matti: Hell Is for Heroes (2006) and Lapland Odyssey (2010). He made his international breakthrough role in historical drama television series Vikings (2015-2020) as Halfdan the Black. In March 2019, it was reported that Pääkkönen had been attached to Spike Lee's Netflix original film Da 5 Bloods. A week later, it was announced that Pääkkönen had also landed a major role in the upcoming Black Tower series based on the novels by Stephen King, but the series was subsequently cancelled in early 2020.
The Raven Banner tells the story of Egil, a warrior of African descent who becomes a prominent member of a Viking clan in 9th-century Scandinavia. After being shipwrecked on the shores of Norway as a young man, Egil must work tirelessly to prove himself in the face of racism and distrust from his Viking companions. Despite the challenges he faces, Egil eventually earns the respect and admiration of his fellow warriors, as well as the love of a fierce shieldmaiden named Astrid. Together, they battle rival Viking clans, navigate treacherous political alliances, and seek to uncover the mysterious truth about Egil's past and his connection to his ancestral homeland in Africa. Through high-stakes action and intense battle scenes, The Raven Banner explores the complex themes of identity, loyalty, and belonging in a world where race and ethnicity often dictated one's fate. Egil and his companions must navigate the dangerous waters of Viking society while staying true to their values and maintaining their commitment to each other. As Egil and Astrid embark on their quest for justice and freedom, they also fall in love, but their relationship is tested by the realities of war and social norms. The Raven Banner is a thrilling and emotional journey through a fascinating historical period, and an exploration into the complex depths of human relationships.
