Neil deGrasse Tyson is set to host the first-ever late night show for National Geographic, the cabler announced at its Television Critics Assn. panel in Pasadena on Wednesday.

Coming after the success of “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey,” “Star Talk,” based on the popular astrophysicist Tyson’s podcast, will premiere in April.

“‘Cosmos’ allowed us to share the awesome power of the universe with a global audience in ways that we never thought possible,” Tyson said. “To be able to continue to spread wonder and excitement through ‘Star Talk,’ which is a true passion project for me, is beyond exciting.”

National Geographic Channels CEO Courteney Monroe added: “We continue to bolster our programming with series and event specials that are brand definitional, and ‘Star Talk’ is the perfect opportunity to offer our audience an edgy, latenight alternative with the credibility and authenticity that are the hallmarks of our network.”

Tyson announced at TCA that the series begins shooting Jan. 8.