Would you go on a reality show if you didn’t know what it was about? In 2005, 12 people did just that. They answered an ad that read “Thrill Seekers wanted” and began auditioning for a show unlike any other in British television history.

This 6-part series from the CBC follows contestants, crew members, and actors through the twists and turns of Space Cadets, a legendary TV hoax.

More than just the story of an elaborate prank, the series puts Space Cadets in context, posing questions about the ethical implications of reality TV, and what our entertainment preferences reveal about us.