The eight-episode run of High Value Target: The Hunt for Saddam has come to a close, and star Joel Kinnaman is using the finale to deliver a powerful message about the consequences of military intervention. The TNT series, which follows Kinnaman's John Nixon as he tracks down Saddam Hussein, ends with Nixon briefing President George W. Bush in Washington, while Hussein faces execution in Iraq. But beyond the historical drama, Kinnaman hopes viewers take away a deeper lesson about the cost of conflict.
In an interview with Collider, Kinnaman opened up about the show's final moments and the real-world parallels that resonate today. "I think the show is a cautionary tale about wars of choice," he said. "It's about what happens when we go in without fully understanding the consequences." The actor, known for his roles in Altered Carbon and The Suicide Squad, emphasized that the series isn't just a thriller—it's a reflection on the complexities of foreign policy.
Getting Inside John Nixon's Head
Portraying a real person came with unique challenges, but Kinnaman found his way in by spending time with the actual John Nixon. "It was really important to spend time with John, to talk to him, to really get under the hood on him," he said. Those conversations, especially about Nixon's relationship with his wife, helped Kinnaman understand the man behind the mission. "For me, that told me who he is; that said a lot about his essence," he explained.
Kinnaman also drew on his own fascination with Middle Eastern politics, calling the experience "a real treat" because of the depth of discussion it allowed. The actor's preparation included reading books about Saddam Hussein and studying the region's history, which he brought to the set.
Facing Saddam: The Magic of Acting with Waleed Zuaiter
One of the show's most gripping elements is the tense, intimate conversations between Nixon and Hussein, played by Waleed Zuaiter. Kinnaman admitted that the experience was almost surreal. "There's sometimes when it was backlit and at certain angles, I was like, 'Fuck, that's Saddam,'" he laughed. "I have a wild imagination; I totally felt like I was stepping into history."
Despite the intensity of those scenes, they were shot relatively quickly—over the first nine days of production. The rest of the shoot involved more logistical challenges, like navigating camels in the desert and dealing with sandstorms, which Kinnaman described as "one to 100" on the difficulty scale.
The Brutal Reality of Filming in Cairo
Filming in Cairo was no walk in the park. Kinnaman called it "a tough place to shoot," citing the unique way things are done there. "The hardest days were like one to 100," he said, though he didn't specify whether the difficulty was physical or technical. The actor's commitment to the role is evident, as he pushed through the grueling conditions to deliver a performance that honors Nixon's real-life experience.
As High Value Target wraps, Kinnaman hopes the series sparks conversation about the lessons of the past. "We need to think about what we're doing and why," he said. "That's the takeaway." For fans of historical dramas and political thrillers, the show offers a gripping look at a pivotal moment in modern history—and a reminder that the echoes of those decisions are still felt today.
For more on the themes of consequence and choice in recent TV, check out our analysis of how superhero shows are tackling endings and the ripple effects of fateful choices.
