Below is a detailed profile of Jaakko Ohtonen—what is publicly known about his career, his upcoming role as Jesus, and whether there are any controversies associated with him. Note: as of now, there is limited public controversy around him.

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Early Life and Background

• Birth and origin
  Jaakko Ohtonen was born on August 25, 1989 in Oulu, Finland. Wikipedia+1

• Education
  He studied film acting at Voionmaa College in Tampere during 2008–2009. Wikipedia
  Later, he pursued acting at the Department of Acting at the University of Tampere, obtaining a Master’s degree in Theatre Arts in 2015. Wikipedia+1

• Theatre beginnings
  After graduation, Ohtonen worked as a freelance actor. He was involved in theatre groups such as Meriteatteri (beginning 2015), Tampere Theatre, and Siperia Theatre. Wikipedia+1

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Acting Career: Film, Television, and Voice Work

Ohtonen has built a modest but steadily growing career in Finnish and international productions.

Finnish / Domestic Work

Some of his notable roles in Finland include:

• Television series

  • Sunnuntailounas (2018) Wikipedia

  • Hotel Swan Helsinki (2020) as “Jere” Wikipedia

  • All the Sins (Finnish: Kaikki synnit) Wikipedia+1

  • Syke (a medical drama) Wikipedia+1

  • Voiceover work: he provided the Finnish version voice for the reality show Big Brother. Wikipedia

• Film / other screen work

  • The Unknown Soldier (Finnish epic war drama) SUBTITLE TALENT+2IMDb+2

  • Various roles credited via his agent profile (Subtitle Talent) include SugarHoneyBaby, HasBeen, Mökkimies, Sunnuntailounas, Syke, etc. SUBTITLE TALENT

International / Larger-Scale Roles

In recent years, Ohtonen has appeared in fora reaching broader audiences:

• The Last Kingdom (Netflix)
  He portrayed the character “Wolland” in the later seasons of The Last Kingdom. Wikipedia+2SUBTITLE TALENT+2

• Vikings: Valhalla (Netflix / historical drama)
  He appears in Vikings: Valhalla, portraying the character Johan. Wikipedia+2vikings.fandom.com+2

These roles help him bridge from Finnish television/film into internationally known series.

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The Major Upcoming Role: Jesus Christ in The Resurrection of the Christ

Perhaps the most significant role (so far) in Ohtonen’s career is his casting as Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson’s two-part sequel to The Passion of the Christ, titled The Resurrection of the Christ. IMDb+4Wikipedia+4Consequence+4

Context of the Casting

• The original The Passion of the Christ (2004) starred Jim Caviezel as Jesus. Over time, there had been speculation and expectation that Caviezel might reprise the role (perhaps de-aged with CGI) in Gibson’s sequel. AsiaOne+3JoBlo+3Consequence+3

• However, the filmmakers decided to recast the role (and many others) for the sequel. The official rationale includes:

  • The sequel’s timeline begins three days after the crucifixion, so the character arc doesn’t require long flashbacks or extended aging. To bring Caviezel back and mask his age (~57) would require extensive de-aging CGI, which was considered too costly. AsiaOne+3JoBlo+3Screen Rant+3

  • As a result, Gibson and the production team opted for a fresh cast, and Ohtonen was selected for Jesus. Consequence+2Screen Rant+2

• The films are being produced under Gibson’s Icon Productions, with Lionsgate as distributor, and filming is set (or has begun) in Italy (notably Cinecittà studios) in October 2025. Screen Rant+3JoBlo+3World of Reel+3

• The first part is scheduled for release on Good Friday, March 26, 2027, with Part Two arriving 40 days later, on May 6, 2027 (Ascension Day). World of Reel+3Consequence+3Screen Rant+3

• The narrative is expected to focus tightly on the resurrection itself (three days after crucifixion), without extended backstory or time jumps, per cast announcements. Consequence+1

Implications and Expectations

• This is a high-profile, high-stakes role: Jesus is central, iconic, and controversial. The casting decision will likely draw intense scrutiny and media attention.

• Ohtonen’s casting represents a leap in visibility and scale for his career, transitioning from supporting or ensemble roles to a central leading role in a major religious/historical film.

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Personal Life

• Marriage
  Jaakko Ohtonen married Finnish television presenter Alma Hätönen in July 2024. Wikipedia
  It is noted that Ohtonen proposed during a holiday in Lapland after an eight‑year relationship. Wikipedia

• Health note
  Some media sources mention that after his proposal, his health “collapsed” and a diagnosis was made unexpectedly. (This is reported in Finnish press; I have not found credible sources in English to fully confirm the cause or details.) Wikipedia

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Controversies or Public Criticism

As of my current research (October 2025), there are no widely reported controversies specifically tied to Jaakko Ohtonen. His public profile is relatively modest until now. A few observations and caveats:

• No major scandals
  There is no evidence in major media or industry sources that Ohtonen has been involved in scandals (e.g., legal troubles, ethical accusations, public misconduct) that have been documented in English-language coverage.

• Potential scrutiny from the new role
  The role of Jesus in a Gibson-directed sequel is bound to generate controversy, given the history of The Passion of the Christ (which, upon its release, provoked debates and criticisms over portrayals of violence, antisemitism allegations, and theological interpretations). Ohtonen may become a target, not for his personal past, but by association, public backlash, or religious/political commentary. But that does not mean he has yet been involved in controversy.

• Cultural & casting criticism
  Whenever a high-profile religious figure is recast, some may criticize decisions of casting, interpretation, or perceived representation. But so far, I have not seen credible sources reporting backlash specifically aimed at Ohtonen.

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Analysis & Outlook

Jaakko Ohtonen is a Finnish actor whose experience has spanned theatre, Finnish television and film, and supporting roles in international series. His sudden jump into the lead role of Jesus in a high-profile sequel could be a turning point—but it also comes with heightened public and critical attention.

As this project unfolds, more about his performance, public reception, and any controversies (if they arise) will likely become visible. For now, his reputation appears unblemished, and his selection seems to be viewed as a bold casting move for the filmmakers.