“Owning Manhattan” is back on Netflix, and so is its star Ryan Serhant.

But this time around, things are different. Serhant isn’t just selling Manhattan’s premium real estate. He’s still on his quest to build the number one brokerage on earth, and he’s also trying to be number one daddy to his daughter. However, Serhant’s business is booming and growing at an exponential rate, and Serhant can’t be everywhere.

As he previously told *Variety, *the show came out in June 2024, and Serhant gained a million followers and subscribers across accounts just from the global awareness. Serhant said, “We were in a couple of markets, but we were predominantly in Manhattan.” He continued, “18 months later, I just opened in my 14th state. We went from a couple of hundred people to 1500 people. Now I have a staff of 200 to help manage.”

Season 2 shows a new, vulnerable and emotional side to Serhant that audiences and fans alike have never seen. Aside from the personal woes, the new season also introduces some new characters and plenty of Manhattan real estate.

World of Wonder co-founders and the show’s executive producers, Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, also produced Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing,” and cast the rising realtor in the New York edition of the franchise. The two spoke with Variety about the new season, what it was like seeing this new side of Serhant, and shared whether there are similarities between realtors and drag queens.

This was such a fascinating season to see Ryan at his most emotional and vulnerable as he struggles with his work-life balance. What was it like for you to witness this raw side of him?

Fenton Bailey: Ryan often presents himself as a selling machine, but there’s another side to him that he keeps closely guarded. Seeing that side was really great because, perhaps, some people don’t believe he has it. He won’t like me for saying this, but he’s a big old softie.

**Randy Barbato: **He’s the original media beast. This is the first time he’s truly revealed the depth of his vulnerability, and that’s what makes this season so compelling. It’s also why Ryan has been so successful for so long, he isn’t just a selling machine. There’s a real depth to him that allows people to connect.

Season 2 has just dropped on Netflix. How would you describe it?

Bailey: There’s something about “Owning Manhattan” that goes beyond being a real estate soap opera. In this moment, you’re seeing who’s buying what, but you’re also witnessing the transformation of media, from legacy media to creator culture. Ryan is selling apartments, spectacular condos and properties, but he’s also, essentially, a creator. Today, everyone is a creator in this media space. We’re all selling all the time. That’s the hidden value of “Owning Manhattan.” It’s not just about real estate; it’s about the art of the sell. More and more, selling has become relatable and universal to the American experience, I think now than just being about someone building a property empire.

**Barbato: **It’s about how to survive during times of epic transformation, which makes it incredibly relatable. Whether it’s the unknown of what is happening in the landscape of our entertainment landscape of our entertainment industry, to the most personal things of how you navigate your devices at home. You’re watching this guy who is this “Master of the Universe” succeed in his business, but also coping with this new world that we’re living in. I think it is more relatable a season of anything we’ve ever produced. Not just of “Owning Manhattan,” but for all the real estate shows we’ve worked on over the past two decades.

Given how much Serhant has grown, are you thinking of expanding the show to “Owning Florida” or other areas?

Barbato: I think geography is too limiting. The next season should be “Owning Everything.” There are no boundaries when it comes to Ryan’s imagination and business acumen, and that’s what makes him so compelling. People who follow Ryan and Serhant know how sophisticated he is. He’s always aware of the camera, but the show is designed to be very broad, but it’s also designed for an audience with discerning tastes.

Was there a particular property that stood out to you this season as something you were invested in, wondering whether it would sell?

Bailey: I’ve been fascinated by the skinny scrapers story (Central Park Tower). I love the concept, especially the idea of the largest, most expensive property in the world. Things are not always what they seem. I suppose that always stuck out to me. But that’s more season one.

Barbato: I have more modest tastes than most…

Bailey: I also liked that building with Anna Delvey.

This season introduces some new characters. What was it like seeing the new realtors? Not to compare them to the queens of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” but it’s always exciting to see what they’re like and what drama they’ll bring.

Barbato: It’s very exciting to have new characters. By the way, someone who isn’t a new character but who we got to see in a new light this season is Amelia, Ryan’s wife, who is amazing. She has always been in the background. This season, she organically played a pretty important role, which was very satisfying for me to watch.

But it’s funny, I think you can equate real estate agents to drag queens because there are so many similarities. Drag queens and realtors are masters of invention. They have to be able to do everything and lip sync for their lives. I think we’re attracted to them because they have so many similarities, selling a property or selling a garment.

Bailey: To live is to perform, and to perform is to live.

This interview has been edited and condensed.