Few television personalities can say they’ve appeared in a music video by Taylor Swift — but Graham Norton now proudly joins that exclusive list. The beloved Irish host recently shared behind-the-scenes details about his experience filming a cameo for Swift’s new “Opalite” video during a conversation with actress Maria McErlane on the Wanging On podcast.
A Music Video That Felt Like a Movie
Norton described the shoot as a large-scale production that felt more like working on a film than a typical music video. Filming took place toward the end of 2025 at the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon, South London, and according to Norton, the atmosphere on set was warm and welcoming.
He recalled that the entire experience was enjoyable, with a friendly cast and crew making the ambitious project feel fun rather than overwhelming.
A Star-Studded Throwback Moment
The “Opalite” video features an impressive lineup of talent, including actors Domhnall Gleeson, Cillian Murphy, Greta Lee and Jodie Turner-Smith, along with singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi. The concept cleverly nods back to an October episode of The Graham Norton Show, where Swift appeared alongside many of the same stars. During that appearance, Gleeson had jokingly mentioned his dream of appearing in one of Swift’s videos — a wish that ultimately came true.
When introducing the project on Instagram, Swift praised Norton as “charismatic and lovable,” revealing that the creative idea struck her shortly after filming that memorable talk show episode.
Taylor Swift’s Vision Behind the Camera
Styled with a nostalgic 1990s-inspired aesthetic, “Opalite” was both written and directed by Swift herself. Norton shared that the entire concept came to her suddenly while she was sitting on the show’s famous red sofa.
He spoke highly of her leadership on set, calling her calm, focused and incredibly capable. Norton was particularly impressed by her ability to manage such a large production without appearing stressed — a quality he said made her a truly exceptional director.
Strong Chart Momentum for ‘Opalite’
The video debuted exclusively on Spotify and Apple Music on February 6 before expanding to YouTube later that weekend. Its release follows Swift’s album The Life of a Showgirl, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 after its October 3 launch and remained at the top for 12 weeks. In the United Kingdom, the project became her 14th chart-topping album.
Early chart projections suggest “Opalite” could become Swift’s eighth U.K. No. 1 single. If it reaches the top, the album would make history as her first to produce two chart-topping hits in the country, following the success of lead single “The Fate of Ophelia.”
Keeping the Secret Was the Hardest Part
While the filming itself was memorable, Norton admitted the biggest challenge was staying quiet about his involvement. The shoot took place in late November, and he spent weeks resisting the urge to share the news — even during social gatherings over the holidays.
He joked that revealing the secret early was tempting, but he managed to keep it under wraps until the official release.
A Long-Standing Swift–Norton Connection
Swift is no stranger to The Graham Norton Show, having appeared multiple times over the years to promote various albums, including Red, Lover and Midnights. With “Opalite,” their long-running professional relationship has now come full circle — this time with Norton stepping into Swift’s creative world.
For Norton, the experience wasn’t just a fun cameo — it was a chance to witness firsthand the creative vision and leadership that continue to define one of the music industry’s most influential artists.
