TORONTO 鈥 David Suzuki's daughter Sarika Cullis-Suzuki has been named the next co-host of 鈥淭he Nature of Things.鈥
CBC said Wednesday that marine biologist Cullis-Suzuki will take the reins from her father along with molecular scientist Anthony Morgan following Suzuki's retirement in the spring.聽
Suzuki himself made the announcement by video at a CBC media event to tout their upcoming winter lineup.聽
In the clip, Suzuki referred to himself as the elder environmentalist who 鈥渟pends his days foraging for delicious snacks鈥 while disrupting the status quo. That cut to a pyjama-clad Suzuki seen probing his fridge and later, practising yoga, shirtless.
鈥淚鈥檓 so excited because the new hosts Anthony and Cullis will be coming in 鈥 they鈥檙e young and vibrant,鈥 Suzuki added in the video message.
鈥淚 want to thank you, our audience, you鈥檝e kept us on air all these years, a steadfast, loyal audience, and don鈥檛 worry, it鈥檚 going to continue to be important to everyone.鈥澛
Suzuki announced in October that he will retire from the science series at the end of next season, which launches Jan. 6, 2023, on CBC TV and CBC Gem.
CBC said Cullis-Suzuki and Morgan have guest-hosted past episodes and will each host an episode in Suzuki鈥檚 final season.聽
The Victoria-based Cullis-Suzuki, a trained marine biologist, also hosted CBC-TV's "The Suzuki Diaries" in 2008 with her father.
Cullis-Suzuki said in a release that it 鈥渇eels amazing鈥 to be a part of the show's legacy, not just because of her father's connection but because she believes in the show.聽
鈥淚t is such an honour. I feel so humbled," Cullis-Suzuki said.
The Toronto-based Morgan is described as a television host, entrepreneur, game designer and PhD researcher. He holds an honours B.Sc. in psychology, neuroscience and behaviour from McMaster University and a degree in science communication from Laurentian University.聽
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think anybody can be David Suzuki, because he really is this kind of singular, inimitable character. And so I think the challenge for me is going to try to be myself and allow myself to genuinely follow my curiosity the way that I always have,鈥 Morgan said in a release.
Suzuki began hosting 鈥淭he Nature of Things鈥 on Oct. 29, 1979.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 30, 2022.
Noel Ransome, The Canadian Press
Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version that moved Wednesday said Anthony Morgan is a marine biologist and environmentalist. In fact, he is a molecular scientist.