You Won't Believe Why Ryan Serhant Gave Up Manhattan's Real Estate Goldmine!

Ryan Serhant, the face of Netflix’s real estate series Owning Manhattan, is redefining the reality television landscape. Known for his tenure on Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing: New York, Serhant has made a surprising admission regarding the format of his new show: he doesn’t believe it’s necessary to showcase completed house sales to make the program engaging.

In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Serhant expressed a refreshing take on the authenticity of reality TV. “Everything is real [on the show] because everything else is big and everyone has a facade, everyone lies. Nothing is real, I believe nothing,” he quipped. “So it would be a disservice to the world to create another fake reality TV show.”

This perspective stems from Serhant’s extensive experience in the industry. He stated that he had “literally zero interest” in creating a manufactured narrative around success. “I was totally fine going into filming if we do no deals. But we tried really hard. Even if all the deals died or fell apart and the company had to file for bankruptcy,” he noted, adding humorously, “That is the season finale of a show that I would watch.” His commitment to authenticity sets Owning Manhattan apart from the countless other reality shows that often prioritize drama over genuine storytelling.

Owning Manhattan, which premiered in June 2024, focuses on real estate deals rather than interpersonal conflicts among agents. “What made season 1 so special — and the reason I wanted to do it — is because I spent 10 years on Million Dollar Listing for Bravo. I wanted to make a deal show,” Serhant explained. “People love Shark Tank and like deal shows in the scripted world such as Succession and Gossip Girl. Owning Manhattan is not about the drama. It’s about the deals.”

This unique approach not only sets the tone for the series but also reflects growing viewer preferences for content grounded in reality. Serhant believes that audiences are hungry for transparency in a world filled with curated social media personas and scripted narratives. “One of the fun things about Owning Manhattan is people can watch the show and then follow along on social media, on the MLS and in the press. They can see if a deal is really closed,” he elaborated, emphasizing the interactive element that distinguishes his show from others in the genre.

Serhant's role as both the star and executive producer allows him to implement creative storytelling techniques that keep viewers engaged. “To do something big and scary that people haven’t seen before like talking to [a] camera in a reality show, having voiceovers and we have one takes in this show,” he detailed. “It just really sets the world. … I give Netflix a lot of credit for allowing us to play and allowing me to really, really push the envelope on format.”

As Owning Manhattan gears up for its second season, viewers are left to wonder what unexpected twists lie ahead. With an emphasis on genuine storytelling and real estate dealings, Serhant's vision challenges the traditional norms of reality television. Streaming now on Netflix, the series invites audiences to experience the high-stakes world of Manhattan real estate through a lens of authenticity that is increasingly rare in modern entertainment.