Taylor Swift has taken her fandom of , the UK’s The Graham Norton Show to a new level, casting the show’s host and the entire celebrity guest lineup from an episode in her new music video for “Opalite.” The whimsical, retro-styled video, which Swift wrote and directed, is a playful homage to 1990s nostalgia and a testament to a spontaneous idea sparked during a late-night chat.
The guests alongside Swift on the show – actors Domhnall Gleeson, Cillian Murphy, Greta Lee, and Jodie Turner-Smith, and musician Lewis Capaldi – all appear in the video, each embracing the quirky, lighthearted tone. The video debuted on Spotify and Apple Music on , and is slated for release on YouTube on .
The genesis of the video, as Swift explained in a statement, came from a moment of inspiration during her appearance on the show. “I remember thinking I got ridiculously lucky with the group I was paired with,” she wrote. The idea solidified after Gleeson jokingly expressed a desire to be in one of Swift’s music videos. “I was instantly struck with an *idea*,” Swift recalled. Within a week, Gleeson received a script placing him in a starring role, and Swift extended the invitation to the rest of the panel.
The resulting video is a self-aware, playfully absurd romp. Swift portrays a character seeking connection, finding companionship first in a pet rock and then, through the magic of “Opalite” spray – a fictional product promising to cure life’s “crappiness” – in Gleeson’s equally lonely cactus. Norton appears as a pitchman for “Nope-alite,” a reverse serum, while Turner-Smith embodies a fitness instructor and Lee appears as a singer-songwriter on MTV. Capaldi takes on the role of a mall photographer.
Murphy, while not appearing in a traditional acting role, lends his voice as a narrator and features in a billboard image within the video. The production leans heavily into 1990s aesthetics, featuring Swift in overalls, crafting friendship bracelets, and engaging in activities like folding paper fortune tellers. The video’s visual style is described as grainy and VHS-like, further enhancing the retro feel.
The collaborative spirit of the project was clearly a highlight for those involved. Graham Norton himself expressed his delight on Instagram, calling it “the thrill of a lifetime and the hardest secret I’ve ever had to keep!!”
Swift’s relationship with The Graham Norton Show extends back years, with five appearances since . The show’s growing popularity in the United States, fueled by viral clips and Norton’s own appearances on American talk shows like Seth Meyers’, has elevated its profile and influence. This casting is a clear demonstration of Norton’s increasing transatlantic appeal.
“Opalite,” originally released as part of Swift’s album The Life of a Showgirl, had already reached number two on the UK charts. The release of the video is expected to boost its chart position further, currently climbing from number 15.
The video’s unique approach – a blend of celebrity cameos, self-deprecating humor, and a strong visual aesthetic – sets it apart from typical music video fare. It’s a project born from a genuine connection and a playful exchange, transforming a casual conversation into a fully realized creative endeavor. Swift’s willingness to embrace the spontaneity of the moment and involve her fellow talk show guests speaks to a collaborative spirit that resonates beyond the confines of the music industry.
