Joel Kinnaman Warns Against “Wars of Choice” After ‘High Value Target: The Hunt for Saddam’s Finale
TNT's "High Value Target: The Hunt for Saddam" has concluded with eight episodes depicting operative John Nixon's hunt for and interrogation of the Iraqi dictator. Actor Joel Kinnaman, who plays Nixon, discussed the finale, which shows Nixon briefing President George W. Bush whilst Saddam faces execution in Iraq. Throughout the series, Nixon's conversations with Saddam reveal the dictator's perspective on regional history and alleged weapons of mass destruction, transforming Nixon's initial naïveté into a more nuanced understanding.
Kinnaman prepared for the role by spending substantial time with the real John Nixon, focusing particularly on his relationship with his wife as the key to understanding his character and essence. The scenes between Nixon and Saddam Hussein (played by Waleed Zuaiter) were filmed in just nine days at the start of production, though Kinnaman had anticipated a much longer engagement with the material. Kinnaman has long been fascinated by Saddam Hussein and Middle Eastern politics, and with the project in development for several years, he had considerable time to research and contemplate the historical complexities of the role.
- TNT series concluding about hunt for Saddam Hussein
- Joel Kinnaman spent time with real operative John Nixon to prepare
- Interrogation scenes filmed in nine days despite preparation time
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TNT's "High Value Target: The Hunt for Saddam" is a drama series that has concluded with eight episodes following John Nixon, a real-life operative involved in the interrogation of Saddam Hussein following the Iraqi dictator's capture. The series culminates with scenes showing Nixon briefing President George W. Bush while Saddam faces execution in Iraq. Throughout the episodes, the series depicts conversations between Nixon and Saddam that explore the dictator's perspectives on regional history and alleged weapons of mass destruction, showing how these exchanges shaped Nixon's understanding of complex geopolitical issues.
Joel Kinnaman plays John Nixon and spent considerable time researching and preparing for the role with the real operative himself, focusing particularly on Nixon's personal relationships to understand his character. The scenes between Nixon and Saddam Hussein, played by Waleed Zuaiter, were filmed in just nine days at the start of production, despite Kinnaman initially expecting a more extended engagement with those scenes. Kinnaman had spent several years researching Saddam Hussein and Middle Eastern politics as the project developed, allowing him to approach the historical material with significant depth.
The series dramatises the historical interrogation of Saddam Hussein by an American operative at a significant moment in recent history. The drama explores the perspectives of both the interrogator and the interrogated, presenting how each understood the region's history and their respective roles in the conflict. By examining this encounter between Nixon and Saddam, the series offers insight into how this particular historical moment unfolded and was understood by the key figures involved.