Ryan Serhant, the real estate mogul at the center of the Netflix series 'Owning Manhattan', has revealed a surprising approach to his show: he was prepared to film an entire season without closing a single deal. This commitment to authenticity marks a significant departure from the conventions of reality television, particularly in the high-stakes world of New York real estate.
Key Takeaways
- Ryan Serhant stated he had "zero interest" in manufacturing success for his Netflix show, 'Owning Manhattan'.
- He was willing to showcase the reality of business, even if it meant filming failed deals or financial struggles.
- The show's format is intentionally different from his previous series, 'Million Dollar Listing: New York', focusing more on the deals themselves rather than interpersonal drama.
- As an executive producer, Serhant pushed for innovative production techniques, such as single-take shots and drone footage, to create a more cinematic feel.
A Commitment to Unfiltered Reality
In the polished world of luxury real estate television, success is often the only narrative presented. However, Ryan Serhant is charting a different course with his series. The 41-year-old CEO of the brokerage SERHANT. has made it clear that his priority is showcasing the genuine struggles and triumphs of his business.
Serhant expressed that he would have been content even if the show depicted his company facing severe challenges. "I was totally fine going into filming if we do no deals," he stated. He even joked about the dramatic potential of showing the business in peril, adding, "Even if all the deals died or fell apart and the company had to file for bankruptcy. That is the season finale of a show that I would watch."
"Everything is real [on the show] because everything else is big and everyone has a facade, everyone lies. Nothing is real, I believe nothing. So it would be a disservice to the world to create another fake reality TV show."
This philosophy is a direct response to what he sees as a landscape of manufactured narratives. His goal is to provide a refreshing dose of reality in a format that has not seen it before, prioritizing authenticity over a flawless image.
A Veteran of Real Estate TV
Ryan Serhant is no stranger to the camera. He was a prominent figure on Bravo's 'Million Dollar Listing: New York' from 2012 to 2021. His experience on that long-running series, along with spinoffs like 'Sell It Like Serhant', has given him a unique perspective on what he wanted to do differently with his own production.
Shifting the Focus from Drama to Deals
After a decade on Bravo, Serhant wanted to create a show with a different core principle. He explained that his vision for 'Owning Manhattan' was to make a "deal show," drawing inspiration from programs like 'Shark Tank' and even scripted dramas such as 'Succession'.
"Owning Manhattan is not about the drama. It’s about the deals," Serhant noted. He emphasized that the show explores the consequences that arise directly from these real-world business transactions, rather than manufactured personal conflicts between cast members. This focus on the professional stakes is what he believes sets the series apart.
The show's connection to the real world is a key element of its appeal. Viewers can independently verify the outcomes of the deals featured on screen. "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," he said. "They can see if a deal is really closed."
Did you know? 'Owning Manhattan' first premiered in June 2024 and follows the operations of Ryan Serhant's own real estate company, SERHANT., which he founded after leaving his previous brokerage.
Pushing Creative Boundaries in Production
Serving as both the star and an executive producer gave Serhant the leverage to experiment with the show's format and visual style. He was determined to create something that looked and felt different from typical reality programming. This involved incorporating cinematic techniques not commonly used in the genre.
He described some of the show's unique production choices. "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."
A More Immersive Viewing Experience
The series employs dynamic camera work to immerse the audience in the fast-paced environment of New York City real estate. Serhant mentioned specific examples, such as long, continuous shots following him into a high-pressure situation and the extensive use of drones to capture the city's scale.
These stylistic choices are deliberate. "It just really sets the world," he explained. "It lets the audience know this is not something you’ve seen before and this is worth watching." He credited Netflix for giving him and his team the creative freedom to "push the envelope on format," allowing for a more ambitious and visually engaging series.
By blending the high stakes of real estate with a commitment to unfiltered storytelling and innovative production, 'Owning Manhattan' aims to redefine what audiences can expect from a show about property, ambition, and the true cost of doing business in one of the world's most competitive markets.
