Graham Norton Joins Taylor Swift’s Opalite Video
Graham Norton’s chatshow has long captivated American celebrities with its blend of star power, casual wine drinking, and Norton’s sharp, playful banter. Taylor Swift has now elevated her admiration for the show by casting Norton in the music video for "Opalite," the second single from her album The Life of a Showgirl to receive a music video, following "The Fate of Ophelia."
Not only does Norton appear, but also the guests who shared the stage with Swift during her October 2025 appearance on the show: actors Domhnall Gleeson, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, and fellow chart-topping musician Lewis Capaldi.
A Whimsical 90s-Themed Video Directed by Swift
The video, characterized by a whimsical and fantastical narrative with a retro 1990s aesthetic, is both written and directed by Swift. In it, Swift portrays a lonely character who befriends a pet rock, while Gleeson’s character, also lonely, forms a similar bond with a cactus. The story unfolds as a magical spray-on substance called Opalite brings the two characters together. Norton plays a salesman promoting a reverse serum named Nope-alite. Turner-Smith appears as a fitness instructor, Lee mimics Swift’s song as a fictional singer-songwriter on MTV, and Capaldi takes on the role of a mall photographer. Cillian Murphy, who was also a guest on the same show, does not act in the video but is featured as a billboard image and provides a voiceover.
Cast and Crew Reunite from October 2025 Show
Reflecting on the collaboration, Norton shared on Instagram:
“The thrill of a lifetime and the hardest secret I’ve ever had to keep!! Thank you thank you,”
Swift introduced the video by praising Norton as “insanely charismatic and lovable” and recalled her inspiration from the October show:
“I remember thinking I got ridiculously lucky with the group I was paired with … I was instantly struck with an *idea*.
And so a week later [Gleeson] received an email script I’d written for the Opalite video, where he was playing the starring role. I had this thought that it would be wild if all of our fellow guests on the Graham Norton show that night, including Graham himself, could be a part of it too. Like a school group project but for adults and it isn’t mandatory. To my delight, everyone from the show made the effort to time travel back to the 90’s with us and help with this video.”
Swift’s Ongoing Relationship with Norton’s Show
Swift has been a frequent guest on Norton’s long-running BBC chatshow, appearing five times since 2013 alongside notable figures such as Bono and John Cleese. Her decision to cast Norton highlights his increasing popularity across the Atlantic; clips from his show often go viral in the United States, and Norton himself has appeared on Seth Meyers’ American talkshow.
Chart Success and Video Availability
"Opalite" initially reached as high as number 2 on the UK charts upon release. Currently positioned at number 15, the single is expected to climb again in the upcoming chart week.
The music video is available on Spotify and Apple Music, with a scheduled release on YouTube on Sunday.
