Domnhall Gleeson says starring in Taylor Swift’s Opalite video has become one of the most surprising highlights of his career.
Domhnall Gleeson has joked about how bonkers it is that he starred in Taylor Swift’s music video
The About Time star laughed about how surreal the whole experience felt.
Speaking to Zuri Hall during Live From E! at the 2026 Oscars on Sunday (15.03.26), he quipped: “I’m 42, I’ve got no business being in Taylor Swift’s music video. It was incredibly exciting. I had done one with Hozier a couple of years before that that I was incredibly proud of. And then the other music video, I joined a great Irish band called Squarehead.”
Domhnall went on to explain that while he’s proud of all his past music video work, this one hit differently.
He said: “I’ve been in a few of these music videos. I’m equally proud of all of them, but there was something special about doing a dance number with Taylor that was not on my bucket list. I didn’t realise it was on my bucket list until it happened.”
Domhnall and Taylor appear in matching blue‑and‑orange tracksuits for a full choreographed routine — a moment that quickly became a fan favourite.
The actor, whose film Retirement Plan is nominated for Best Animated Short Film at this year’s ceremony, said the opportunity felt almost impossible… until Taylor made it happen.
The singer revealed that the entire idea was sparked by a joke Domhnall made during their joint appearance on The Graham Norton Show last October.
Taylor wrote on Instagram in February: “I remember thinking I got ridiculously lucky with the group I was paired with. All people whose work I’ve admired from afar. When we were all talking during the broadcast, Domhnall made a light-hearted joke about wanting to be in one of my music videos. He’s Irish! He was joking!”
She added: “Except that in that moment during the interview, I was instantly struck with an idea.”
Taylor didn’t stop with Domhnall — she recruited the entire Norton lineup, including Greta Lee, Lewis Capaldi, Jodie Turner‑Smith and host Graham Norton.
She shared: “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.”
