Graham Norton Talks Cameo in Taylor Swift’s Opalite Video

Irish chat show host Graham Norton has revealed details about his surprise cameo in Taylor Swift’s newly released Opalite music video. Speaking on the Wanging On podcast with actress Maria McErlane, Norton described the shoot as “like a movie set, a massive, massive deal.”

A Star-Studded Production

Filmed at the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon in late 2025, the video features appearances from Domhnall Gleeson, Cillian Murphy, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Lewis Capaldi. The cast had previously appeared together on The Graham Norton Show in October, where Gleeson joked about wanting to star in a Swift video. Swift later said the idea for Opalite came to her “in a blinding flash” during that episode.

Swift as Director

Swift not only wrote but also directed the video, which carries a retro 90s aesthetic. Norton praised her composure and creativity:

“Taylor is a marvelous director. Her ability to not get stressed is extraordinary.”

He added that everyone on set was “lovely” and that the experience was “really, really fun.”

Keeping the Secret

Norton admitted he struggled to keep his cameo under wraps. Filmed in November, the video wasn’t released until February 6, premiering on Spotify and Apple Music before a wider YouTube release. “On New Year’s Eve, I was with a gaggle of gays and thought, ‘Surely I can tell them’… but I didn’t,” he joked.

Chart Success

Opalite is the second single from Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl album, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in October 2025 and spent 12 weeks at the top. In the U.K., the record became her 14th chart-topping album. According to midweek data, Opalite is on track to become Swift’s eighth U.K. No. 1 single, following the success of The Fate of Ophelia.

A Longstanding Connection

Swift has appeared on The Graham Norton Show multiple times over the years, promoting albums from Red to Midnights. Her decision to include Norton in Opalite highlights their ongoing rapport and her knack for weaving personal connections into her creative projects.