taylor swift he’s no stranger to convincing some of the world’s biggest stars to make cameos in his music videos.
The move has a long history when it comes to their back catalogue. After all, who can forget his 2014 “Bad Blood” video, which featured 16 members of his famous Girl Squad? Everyone from Gigi Hadid i selena gomez a Cindy Crawford i Jessica Alba it all came out during the killer clip.
Swift, 36, recaptured that magic with a whole new star cast when it dropped the official music video for “Opalite”, the third song from his 12th studio album, The life of a chorus girlin February 2026.
While the video is packed with celebrities, one star in particular: Cillian Murphy – She has her tongue wagging because of her subtle inclusion this time.
What role does Cillian Murphy play in the ‘Opalite’ music video?
Murphy’s role in “Opalite” has some fans scratching their heads, as it’s not as obvious as some of the other cameos.
The Home star, 49, is actually included twice. First, it’s the opening voiceover for the infomercial for the magic product Opalite.
“Hey friend, why so sad? Have you been feeling unsatisfied in life? Maybe you lack connection in a friendship or relationship. Maybe you give more than you get. What if I told you, you could magically turn all this crap into happiness?” Murphy can be heard saying in the ad.
He continues: “No need to worry, no more frustration. Introducing… Opalite, the revolutionary solution to your problems. Just one spray and Opalite magically transforms your problems into your paradise. Using our state-of-the-art chemical potion, it works on friendships, couples, pets and co-workers.”
A photo of Murphy giving a thumbs up later appears on a giant wall print ad for Opalite.
taylor swift
(Photo by Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty Images)What other celebrities appear in the ‘Opalite’ video?
The Oppenheimer The actor isn’t the only celebrity to appear on screen during “Opalite.” He joins Murphy Graham Norton, Domhnall Gleeson, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith i Lewis Capaldi.
Gleeson, 42, plays a character in a one-sided relationship with a cactus, which turns into Swift when she sprays it with the Opalite potion.
“Someone You Loved” singer Capaldi, 29, plays a mall photographer tasked with taking portrait shots of Swift and Gleeson, while talk show host Norton, 62, stars as a salesman selling Opalite’s antidote, the aptly named “Nope-alite.”
Meanwhile, Lee, 42, appears as a singer on TV while Swift hangs out with her “rock” best friend, and Turner-Smith, 39, plays an aerobics instructor with whom Swift and “rock” work out.
Other notable cameos on “Opalite” include some of the dancers from Swift’s Eras Tour, such as Kameron Saunders as a dance judge and Jan Ravnik in a commercial
Graham Norton.
(Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images)Why did Taylor Swift choose Graham Norton’s guests to appear on ‘Opalite’?
Swift revealed via her Instagram on February 6 that she had come up with the idea to include them all when she was doing a promotion for herself. The life of a chorus girl album activated The Graham Norton Show in October 2025. The stars who made cameos in “Opalite” were also invited.
“I remember thinking I got ridiculously lucky with the group I was paired with. Cillian Murphy, Domhnall Gleeson, Greta Lee, @JodieSmith and @LewisCapaldi,” she wrote. “Everyone whose work I’ve admired from afar. When we were all talking on the show, Domhnall made a light joke about wanting to be in one of my music videos. He’s Irish! He was kidding! Except at that moment during the interview, I was instantly struck by an *idea*. And so, a week later, he got an email with the video starring Op. paper.”
He continued: “I thought it would be wild if all our fellow guests on the Graham Norton show that night, including Graham himself, could also be a part of it. Like a school group project but for adults and not compulsory. To my delight, everyone on the show made the effort to time travel back to the 90s with us and help us with this video. You might even recognize some familiar faces from The Eras Tour”
What is the plot of Taylor Swift’s ‘Opalite’ music video?
Set in the 1990s, the fun and silly plot of the “Opalite” music video follows Swift’s one-sided friendship with her rock best friend. Gleeson’s character is seen experiencing a similar codependent dynamic with a cactus.
After meeting Opalite, a spray potion that promises to turn “shit into happiness,” Swift’s “lonely woman” character hooks up with Gleeson’s “lonely man” character and they embark on a series of dates with stereotypical ’90s vibes, including going to the mall and entering a dance competition.
Taylor Swift’s music videos have included many memorable appearances by famous men taking on the roles of her love interests. Over the years, the Grammy winner has recruited many well-known actors to help bring her visions to life, including Stephen Colletti, who starred in the 2008 music video for “White Horse.” Thank you! you (…)
Swift has talked about it before the meaning behind “Opalite”, sharing that it can be interpreted as a metaphor for intentionally seeking love and not letting past romances bring you down.
In October 2025, the singer opened up about the song’s symbolism and her connection to her fiance Travis Kelce in an interview with Capital FM.
“Travis’ birthstone is an opal, so I’ve always looked at that, I’ve always loved that stone,” she explained at the time. “I thought it was kind of a cool metaphor. (Opalite is) a man-made opal, and happiness can also be man-made. So that’s what the song is about, kind of a juxtaposition of those two.”