Cillian Murphy Reflects on Surprise Role in Taylor Swift's 'Opalite' Music Video

The Peaky Blinders star calls the experience 'amazing' after appearing in the pop star's latest single.

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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In a recent interview, acclaimed actor Cillian Murphy discussed his unexpected cameo in the music video for Taylor Swift's song 'Opalite.' Murphy, who is known for his dramatic roles in films like Oppenheimer, was billed as the 'Opalite spokesperson & ad voiceover' in the credits of the video, which also featured other celebrities like Greta Lee and Jodie Turner-Smith.

Why it matters

Murphy's appearance in the video is noteworthy given his status as a critically acclaimed dramatic actor, marking an intriguing crossover between the worlds of prestige film and pop music. The collaboration also highlights Swift's ability to attract high-profile talent for her visually striking music videos.

The details

The 'Opalite' music video was released on YouTube on February 8, 2026, which happened to be Super Bowl Sunday. The track was the second single from Swift's latest studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, which was released in October 2025. Murphy's role in the video was not a major on-camera part, but he was still a crucial part of the production.

  • The 'Opalite' music video was released on February 8, 2026.
  • The 'Opalite' single was released on January 12, 2026.
  • The Life of a Showgirl album was released on October 3, 2025.

The players

Cillian Murphy

An Oscar-winning actor known for his dramatic roles in films like Oppenheimer and the Peaky Blinders TV series.

Taylor Swift

A popular American singer-songwriter who wrote and directed the 'Opalite' music video.

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What they’re saying

“It was amazing — we were all on the sofa together [on The Graham Norton Show], and then she reached out. And, of course, we all said yeah, and it's good. It's a really sweet, lovely song and video, so I was happy to be involved.”

— Cillian Murphy (Entertainment Tonight)

What’s next

Murphy is currently promoting the Peaky Blinders movie, The Immortal Man, and has also recently starred in the Netflix film Steve, based on the novella Shy.

The takeaway

Cillian Murphy's surprise appearance in Taylor Swift's 'Opalite' music video demonstrates the versatility of the acclaimed actor, who is able to seamlessly transition between dramatic roles and pop culture cameos. The collaboration highlights Swift's ability to attract high-profile talent and underscores the continued crossover between the worlds of film and music.