"The chaos was palpable as microphones were yanked off, and team members walked out on me mid-show," lamented the NYC broker, reflecting on the inaugural season of the Netflix sensation. Crafting a reality TV opus centered around the cutthroat world of NYC real estate? Ryan Serhant, CEO and visionary behind Serhant Real Estate, insists it's a blend of opulent penthouses, high-pressure negotiations, and a never-ending stream of drama.
"I envisioned our maiden property stroll to be nothing short of the world's most expensive penthouse," Serhant divulged to Yahoo Entertainment, hyping up his latest venture, 'Owning Manhattan,' premiering on Netflix June 28. "In New York, you play big or go home, plain and simple."
This eight-part series chronicles Serhant's meteoric rise, navigating the treacherous waters of the real estate game with a squad of 12 unrelenting agents, each vying for a slice of the city's most coveted luxury listings. However, their journey wasn't without its fair share of turmoil.
During filming last year, amid the lowest home sales in three decades, Serhant recalls instances where he had to let go of team members "live on camera." "It was a madhouse," he recounted. "Microphones were flying, and people were dropping like flies. The world had shifted, profits dwindled, and poaching was rampant. It was a full-on battleground."
Serhant is no stranger to the reality TV arena, having starred in Bravo's 'Million Dollar Listing New York' from 2012 to 2022, followed by his solo show 'Sell It Like Serhant' in 2018, and later 'Million Dollar Listing: Ryan's Revolution' in 2021, showcasing his family's Brooklyn home renovation.
But 'Owning Manhattan' stands apart, promising an unflinching glimpse into the industry's ruthless competition, high-stakes transactions, and the raw, emotional undercurrents of buyers and sellers. "I'm the captain, the CEO—it's a significant role," Serhant boasted, reminiscing about launching his brokerage amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2020, when many of his peers fled the city.
He seized the moment, capitalizing on his competitors' departure. "Everyone said I was insane, but I believed in New York's resilience," he said. "Just like it emerged stronger from 9/11, I knew it would triumph over COVID too. And so it did."
The series captures the rollercoaster ride of Serhant's business amidst a city in flux, showcasing both its grandeur and grit. "We aim to deliver the ultimate real estate spectacle," he enthused. "I want to showcase New York's true essence—a city that rises from adversity, a tapestry of beauty and imperfections."
Declaring 'Owning Manhattan' as "more documentary than reality," Serhant hopes to revolutionize the genre, offering viewers a richer, more authentic experience. "I refuse to waste anyone's time," he affirmed. "If I'm on your screen, I'm earning every second."
Mark your calendars—all eight episodes of 'Owning Manhattan' hit Netflix on June 28.
