Jamie Oliver, 50 Cent attached to Sundance series

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and rapper 50 Cent are joining forces for an education-themed reality series for US cable net Sundance Channel.

The celebrities are attached to Dream School, a six-part experiment that will take troubled teenagers out of the traditional classroom to a place of learning in which all the educators are high profile musicians, politicians, filmmakers, scientists, actors and artists.

Oliver is best know for his food series such as Jamie’s Thirty Minute Meals, while Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson is a global gangster rap star.

Oliver created the format for the UK’s Channel 4 in 2011, and his production company Fresh One will coproduce the US show with 50 Cent’s G-Unit Films and Television. It will launch in the fall.

“Dream School will be at times devastating, at times deeply uplifting, and entirely full of the genuine conflict and struggle that goes along with true transformation. Viewers will see that play out, not just from the teenagers in the show but also from the celebrities and educators who have signed on for this tough yet potentially life-changing project,” said Sundance Channel president Sarah Barnett.

Jackson added: “The importance of Dream School is monumental. Helping to inspire these students to reach their potential is personally gratifying.”