Looking for VFX & post-production? That part of Aroma Studios is now AO3 Studios
High Value Target — a TNT limited series, made in Egypt.
High Value Target (developed as Debriefing the President, based on John Nixon's book) tells the story of the first American to identify and interrogate Saddam Hussein. A TNT limited series starring Joel Kinnaman and Waleed Zuaiter, directed by Academy Award–nominated Ziad Doueiri and produced by Academy Award–nominated Alexander Rodnyansky (AR Content) and Leslie Greif (The Offer, Hatfields & McCoys) — with Aroma Studios as the production partner on the ground. Period Iraq — and Washington — were built entirely in Egypt.
Premiered September 13, 2026 on TNT — now airing on TNT and streaming on HBO Max in the US and Watch It across MENA.
Eight episodes
The Hunt Begins
America invades; Saddam vanishes; CIA analyst John Nixon mobilizes the hunt for HVT No. 1.
Into the Red Zone
Six months in, John talks his way to Baghdad and follows a lead into the red zone.
Red Dawn
Inside Abu Ghraib, John presses Saddam's cousin — and is drafted onto the chopper for Operation Red Dawn.
Face to Face
John comes face to face with Saddam Hussein as Baghdad burns.
Hostile Territory
Defying orders, John forges into hostile territory and ends up in a chase for his life.
The Real Threat
A warning from Saddam sends John to Najaf — and back with a realization he must sell to the White House.
The Trial
With Saddam on trial and Iraq in chaos, John argues that saving Saddam is the only road to peace.
One Last Chance
A pariah in Washington, John gets one final meeting to change the course of the Middle East.
~75 shooting days
Shot in and around Cairo — modern districts, popular neighborhoods and controlled zones — on a continuous international schedule.
Full military scale
Heavy armory, Humvees, helicopters and gunships coordinated with the relevant authorities — heavy action and practical explosions throughout.
Major set builds
Multiple builds including the White House, plus villas and modern locations doubling seamlessly for the United States.
1,000+ VFX shots
Post-production awarded to AO3 Studios after competitive qualification: heavy CGI — environments, crowds, explosions, vehicles, set extensions.
Editorial & dailies
AO3's lead editor cut four of the series' eight episodes; full DIT and data wrangling on set with multi-tier backup workflows.
Government access
Permits, military-adjacent coordination and clearances handled through Aroma's long-standing relationships across Egyptian authorities.
MENA distribution
Aroma also handled the series' Middle East distribution — closing the exclusive regional deal with Watch It.
Why this production matters for yours
This is the full stack, proven at international broadcast standard: locations, set construction, casting and background, full Egyptian crews, military hardware coordination, heavy action — post-production delivered in-country through AO3 Studios, and even Middle East distribution, closed exclusively with Watch It. One partner carried it from prep to delivery — and into the market. We are also working closely with the Egyptian government and Film Commission on the country's first production rebate, to be announced — putting Egypt firmly on the map for international budgets.
In the press
- The Hollywood Reporter — Joel Kinnaman interrogates Saddam Hussein in the official trailer
- Variety — Trailer and premiere coverage (TV News Roundup)
- Variety — TNT's first scripted series pickup in years
- Deadline — International sales rack up: Crave, NRK, SVT, YLE, DR
- Deadline — Waleed Zuaiter plays Saddam Hussein
- Deadline — Trailer & premiere date gallery
- UPI — Premiere set on TNT
References: Alexander Rodnyansky · Leslie Greif — further references available on request.
Sugar — with MBC StudiosA flagship feature produced in collaboration with MBC Studios — studio-level partnership with the region's biggest broadcaster, from set to screen.View title →
A Thousand and One Nights: Gawdar — the epicAn epic fantasy saga drawn from the One Thousand and One Nights — large-scale period sets, world-building VFX and hundreds of extras, delivered across two full seasons.View title →