What’s that I can smell? Another new Netflix real estate show bringing together incredibly pretty people all battling against one another to sell the most expensive, luxury properties in a highly-competitive American market? Well yes indeed. This time round, it’s New York City, and the Netflix original is aptly-titled Selling the City. Hopefully they won’t broach Ryan Serhant’s Manhattan borders; he does own the area, after all…
Selling the City on Netflix introduces some new faces, and one familiar real estate giant
The cast is introduced walking through NYC, but not big boss lady Eleonora. Instead, she flies in via helicopter. She’s someone who means business, and her first meeting with her mainly-female team shows that while she’s happy to have a laugh, the company and sales come first. “I want to have more impactful and monumental sales.” Basically, do your job, and do it well – or go.
Despite the smiles, it feels like Abi might be at the root of some issues for the rest of the agents. She’s the newbie, and not everybody trusts her. Abi throws shade in confessional, questioning whether it’s because of her time in the industry, or simply because she’s “a decade younger” than everybody else. Shade!
Justin is someone I instantly like, thanks to his immediate batting away of the real estate industry’s issue with sexism. “Am I above working with a team of women?” he asks. “Absolutely not. I will follow the money wherever it goes.” Sadly, he spoils it in Episode 2 with a “girls will be girls” remark. Eyeroll.
Justin and Eleonora have dated. “He took my virginity for a second time,” Eleonora quips. I don’t get it, but I’m here for it. It’s been a decade since they were bumping uglies, but have managed to maintain a great relationship. In fact, Eleonora seems to trust Justin implicitly, even asking him to help “nurture” her agents. Sadly, he betrays that trust…
Oh, and Bravo fans, get ready for a familiar face. Enter Steve Gold, via a montage that showcases his rippling muscles as he gets ready for the day. If editors wanted viewers to be putty in Steve’s hands, this is exactly the way to do it. And don’t sleep on THAT basketball montage towards the end of the season…
Netflix’s Selling the City showcases some stunning properties and events
One thing a real estate show needs to do is deliver some memorable moments through the buildings being showcased. Thankfully, Selling the City has that in bucketloads. While it doesn’t quite live up to some of the properties shown in Owning Manhattan, it gets very close. There are hundreds of millions of dollars on the line, so the stakes are high.
What we’ve also grown to love as viewers, is all the fabulous events these agents get to host. The glamour is second to none. Except when it comes to Steve. That man favors a hooded sweatshirt and a semi-smart jacket above a suit, but who are we to question one of the biggest names on the scene?
Tensions rise among the Selling the City agents
What is a real estate show without a bit of tension? It begins early as Jade invites a handful of agents to lunch, where she’s “chumming it up” with Taylor, and trying to get closer to Steve. Eleonora isn’t happy, and neither are the agents left back at the office who didn’t even get the honor of an invite.
“If she acts like this towards me, I’m gonna f*cking throw this b*tch so far under, she has no idea what’s coming for her. Like, don’t come at me. I will f*cking have this b*tch’s head on a plate,” Jade rants after Eleonora leaves. Not in private, but alongside a bunch of her peers. It’s not a good look, but it certainly lays the foundations of what’s to come throughout the rest of the season.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Without giving away too much, viewers can look forward to seeing awkward situationships, threats to sue, and even a “F*ck you Netflix” as the season pans out.
Eleonora is born for reality TV as well as real estate; her raw, emotional honesty in Episode 4 in particular is a stunning moment. Meanwhile, Jade makes the perfect villain (a word I use with all love).
This is appointment television, and the perfect way to start the New Year. The only problem? We’ve got to wait for news on a second season.
Selling the City is streaming now on Netflix.
TELL US – HAVE YOU WATCHED SELLING THE CITY? WHAT DID YOU THINK? ARE YOU HAPPY TO SEE STEVE GOLD BACK ON TV?
