The 2026 Taylor Swift “Opalite” music video features a star-studded cast—Domhnall Gleeson, Cillian Murphy, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Lewis Capaldi—born from a casual joke made by Gleeson during an October 2025 appearance on The Graham Norton Show. Directed by Swift, the ’90s-set video casts them in surreal roles after she decided to turn the talk show group into a, “school group project” for adults.
Key Details Behind the “Opalite” Video Cast:
- The Origin Joke: While appearing on The Graham Norton Show, Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson jokingly mentioned wanting to be in one of Swift’s music videos.
- Swift’s Idea: Swift was instantly inspired to cast the entire panel of guests from that night, including host Graham Norton and singer Lewis Capaldi, along with actors Cillian Murphy, Greta Lee, and Jodie Turner-Smith.
- The Plot: The video centers on a surreal plot where Gleeson’s character uses a magic spray called “Opalite” to turn a cactus into a person, with Capaldi acting as a photographer and Norton as a salesman.
- Cameos & Roles: Cillian Murphy appears in a, “Don’t Sweat It” advertisement mural in the video.
- Production & Themes: The video is part of Swift’s 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, with the song itself inspired by self-forgiveness and personal growth. People.com +4
The video is filled with 1980s/90s nostalgia, featuring the stars in a mall setting with references to other Taylor Swift lyrics.