Over the last few years, Netflix has become the go to place for reality TV. The streaming giants have particularly excelled in the real estate niche, with popular shows like Selling Sunset becoming extremely popular. In 2024, Owning Manhattan arrived on the platform, and many are claiming that it knocks Selling Sunset out of the park.
Owning Manhattan is hosted by Ryan Serhant and closely follows his real estate company as they tackle some of the biggest properties in New York City. While many have speculated that the show is scripted, Serhant has stated that every cast member is a legit real estate agent. To that, a level of authenticity reigns over the show. So, here’s why Owning Manhattan is cutthroat reality TV at its best.
The Show’s Location Ups the Ante
Real estate is a bustling environment that can be incredibly high pressure. Where Owning Manhattan shines is with the show’s location of New York City, particularly Manhattan. New York City’s real estate market is infamous for its cutthroat competitiveness and high-stakes nature, making it one of the most challenging places to navigate in the country. With limited supply and sky-high demand, the city’s real estate market is often likened to a high-pressure game of musical chairs, where buyers and sellers must act quickly and strategically to secure their spot. The stakes are higher in New York due to its prime location, iconic neighborhoods, and historic buildings, making every property a highly sought-after asset.
Additionally, the city’s complex regulatory environment, high property taxes, and strict zoning laws can make the process even more daunting. Owning Manhattan thrives on this difficulty, and instead of focusing too much on the transactions themselves, the show explores its agent’s day-to-day endeavours as they navigate this environment. However, with that inevitably comes drama and tension, which is where the show starts to excel.
How Owning Manhattan Outshines Its Competitors
As mentioned, the show’s location adds a layer of drama from the outset. It also delves into the idgosyncarices of salespeople, as they dedicate their lives to their profession. Naturally, these individuals have a competitive streak within them, and with competition comes drama and conflict. If we compare Owning Manhattan to Netflix’s popular series Selling Sunset, Owning Manhattan has a much more tense feel to it. This is in part due to the fact that the team is much larger, therefore bringing more challenges. Both shows have been accused of being scripted, however, it feels unlikely for Owning Manhattan to be fake as the show focuses on Ryan Serhant’s real business, another element that makes the show stand out.
When speaking with Variety about the casting process for the show, Serhant explained that the agents were cast, but this does not mean they are actors. He explained: “We did the work, went through all the agent profiles, and were in conversations with a couple of others. I was already talking to Jonathan, Jess and Savannah about coming over and joining a team and it aligned. But we put 250 agents on casting tapes and went through them and mixed and matched and we did a presentation. We took it out and got some feedback and went from there.”
Ryan Serhant Elevates the Show
The beauty in Ryan Serhant’s hosting of the show comes from many factors. As a former actor, Serhant has a natural ability to command attention when on camera. Before finding fame in the world of real estate and entrepreneurship, Serhant starred in the popular daytime drama, As the World Turns. He also starred in the indie comedy drama, While We’re Young, opposite Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts. As he found success in real estate, he soon turned to reality TV, featuring in Million Dollar Listing New York, and his own show Sell It Like Serhant.
In Owning Manhattan, Serhant brings forth not only his tenure in front of the camera but also a wealth of industry experience. This makes him a standout host in the real estate TV realm, as he is truly a savant in his field. Throughout the show, Serhant guides his team to great success as they tackle some of the biggest listings in New York City. He also doesn’t shy away from being stern and laying down the law, as seen when he fired Jonathan. Seeing as the show focuses on Serhant’s own business, Owning Manhattan gives an inside look into New York’s real estate world, at times feeling like a fly on the wall of the succesful businessman’s life and career. Want to read more about Owning Manhattan? Here’s everything we know about the potential second season.
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