Producers held a casting call on Wednesday for "Northsiders," a reality show set in north Edmonton described as a cross between Big Brother and Jersey Shore.

The casting notice calls the series "a wild, racy, and unpredictable ‘social experiment’, as we throw a group of bona-fide ‘northsiders’ into a run-down house, make them live together for 13 weeks, and see if anyone survives with any dignity intact."

Producers were seeking characters which include an older and younger "oil-patch/construction/trade worker, "The Rocker Chick", and the "Bar Star."

Ava Nagel auditioned for the character of the Straight A student in Edmonton on Wednesday. (CBC)

They are also seeking a "40-something cougar" who parties "like she's still in high school" as well as the "18-24 single mom" who is on social assistance but still "has plenty of cash left over to party every night."

They will also mix with an aspiring musician, a straight A student and a computer/comic book nerd.

Guy Lavallee, creative director of Ignition Media Productions, hopes the show will explore and challenge north Edmonton stereotypes.

Lavallee lived in Castledowns when he first moved here in 1989, and has long been fascinated by the contrast between north and south parts of the city.

"It really is like two different cities split in half," he said. "It's changed a lot over the years, but I think people's perceptions versus what the reality is are completely different."

About 100 people applied to audition for the 12 characters. Ava Nagel, 21, tried for the character of the "Straight-A student." Nagel wants to take part because she often thought about how she would react on a reality television show.

"This is my chance to actually be involved," she said.

The two city councillors who represent the area had mixed reaction to the show, which critics say reinforces negative stereotypes about north Edmonton.

"North Edmonton is a very good place so I don't mind them doing this. Come in and see what we're like and enjoy," Coun. Ed Gibbons said. "We're all one big city. We're under one big tent and we all should be willing to live together and joke and laugh with each other too."

Coun. Tony Caterina hopes the show will focus on the positive aspects of north Edmonton.

"If it's going to be derogatory or in any way demean anybody in Edmonton, regardless of whether it's north or south, I think that that would make us all concerned and again I invite them. Give me a call and maybe I'll want to participate," he said.

It may be at least a year before any filming begins, and that all depends on financing.