Netflix has a formula. We’ve seen it in Los Angeles with the OGs, we watched it go down in Orange County, and we even saw the London attempt. But the Selling the City Netflix cast is trying to do something that feels a bit more grounded, even if the apartments cost more than most people earn in a lifetime. New York City real estate isn’t just about infinity pools and sunset views. It’s about grit. It’s about being able to handle a co-op board that hates your shoes. It's about verticality.
The show centers on Douglas Elliman, a massive name in the industry. This isn't a small boutique firm started by two brothers with matching veneers. This is corporate. It’s high-stakes. The agents here aren't just reality stars in the making; they are heavy hitters who were already closing multi-million dollar deals before a camera crew ever showed up on Park Avenue.
🔗 Read more: Why King Julien and I Like to Move It Move It are Still Cultural Icons Decades Later
Honestly, the dynamic is weirdly refreshing.
The faces of the Selling the City Netflix cast
At the heart of the show are two powerhouse agents: Sasha Rahban and Abiey (Abraham) Mansur. If you follow the NYC real estate scene, these names aren't new. They bring a specific kind of "hustle culture" that only exists in Manhattan.
Sasha isn't just a face for the screen. He’s been in the game for years, specializing in luxury rentals and sales that make your eyes water. Then you have Abiey. He’s the type of guy who probably negotiates his coffee price. He’s sharp. He’s fast. He represents that specific New York energy where if you aren't moving, you're dying.
But a cast isn't just two guys.
You’ve also got agents like Tia-Sere Lucas, Gregg Rothstein, and Symphony Knight. What’s interesting here is the diversity of experience. You have people who have been doing this for twenty years mixed with younger agents who are trying to disrupt the old-school "boys club" mentality of New York brokerage.
It's a lot.
Unlike Selling Sunset, where the drama often feels like it's manufactured over a glass of rosé at a lunch that lasts four hours, the Selling the City Netflix cast deals with the actual logistics of New York. You see them fighting over "pocket listings." You see the genuine stress of a client backing out because the view of the Empire State Building is partially obstructed by a new crane.
Why the New York market changes the vibe
New York is a character itself. In the LA version of the franchise, the houses are the stars. They are sprawling, glass-walled dreams. In New York, the apartments are often tighter. They are historic. They have "bones."
The cast has to sell history, not just square footage.
Take Gregg Rothstein, for example. He’s a veteran. He knows every building on the Upper West Side. When he talks to a client, he isn't just selling a kitchen; he's selling a legacy. This adds a layer of intellectualism to the show that we haven't really seen in the other iterations. It’s less "look at my shoes" and more "look at this pre-war molding."
Does that mean there isn't drama? No way.
Real estate is a zero-sum game in Manhattan. There is only so much land. Every time one agent gets a listing, another agent loses a commission that could have paid for their kid's private school tuition for the next five years. That creates a natural, simmering tension that doesn't need a fake party to explode.
Breaking down the cast dynamics
The show thrives on the friction between the seasoned pros and the newcomers.
✨ Don't miss: Why Should I Worry Oliver and Company: Billy Joel, 80s Grit, and the Song That Saved a Movie
- Sasha Rahban: He’s basically the anchor. He’s calm, but don’t mistake that for being soft. He knows how to play the long game.
- Abiey Mansur: He provides the high-octane energy. He’s the one most likely to get into a heated argument in the middle of a marble foyer.
- Tia-Sere Lucas: She brings a level of sophistication and a massive network. Her clients aren't just rich; they're influential.
- Symphony Knight: The "rising star" archetype. She’s hungry, and watching her navigate the shark-infested waters of Douglas Elliman is one of the more relatable parts of the series.
New York real estate is about who you know. If you don't have the right contact at a specific bank, you aren't closing that $15 million penthouse. The Selling the City Netflix cast shows that the "glamour" is often just a mask for 18-hour workdays and endless phone calls.
Is it actually real?
People always ask if reality TV is scripted. While the situations are obviously set up for filming—you don't just "happen" to have a dramatic confrontation at a gallery opening every Tuesday—the professional stakes for these agents are very real.
If Abiey or Sasha looks like an idiot on global television, they lose their actual billionaire clients. They can't afford to be just "characters." They have to be experts. This is why the show feels a bit "colder" than its California counterparts. It’s professional. It’s sleek. It’s New York.
The "Cast" isn't just the agents, though. It's the developers. It's the stagers who spend $50,000 just to put furniture in a room for a weekend. It's the city itself.
What most viewers get wrong about the NYC market
Most people watch these shows and think it's all about the commission check. Sure, a 3% commission on a $10 million apartment is a lot of money. Do the math. That’s $300,000.
But what the Selling the City Netflix cast highlights is that after the split with the brokerage, the taxes, and the marketing costs, these agents are putting a lot of their own skin in the game. They spend money to make money.
In LA, you can sell a lifestyle. In New York, you're selling a commodity.
The cast has to navigate the "Board Package." If you've never tried to buy an apartment in New York, you have no idea how invasive this is. A board can reject a buyer because they don't like their dog or because they think the buyer's net worth is too "volatile." The agents have to act as therapists, lawyers, and private investigators all at once.
The "Villain" edit
Every show needs a villain. In the first season, it’s clear the editors are trying to figure out who wears the black hat. But in New York, everyone is a bit of a villain. You have to be. You can’t be the "nice guy" and win a bidding war against six other people who are all offering cash.
The conflict often stems from the internal hierarchy at Douglas Elliman. It’s a huge company. These agents aren't always on the same team, even if they're under the same roof. They compete for the same listings. They compete for the attention of the higher-ups.
Actionable insights for fans and aspiring agents
If you're watching the show and thinking about jumping into the New York market, or if you're just a fan who wants to understand the "meta" of the show better, keep these points in mind.
First, notice the "Comp" game. Every time the Selling the City Netflix cast talks about a price, they are looking at "comparables." In NYC, this is an art form. One block can make a $2 million difference.
Second, look at the wardrobe. It’s not just for show. In New York, your suit is your armor. It tells the client you're successful enough to handle their money.
Third, pay attention to the neighborhood shifts. The show focuses heavily on areas like SoHo, Chelsea, and the Upper East Side, but the real money is moving into places like Hudson Yards and specific pockets of Brooklyn. The agents who stay ahead of these trends are the ones who survive.
💡 You might also like: Ryan Gosling Tag Heuer: Why This Partnership Actually Matters in 2026
Next Steps for the Viewer:
- Follow the real social media accounts: If you want the "unfiltered" version, follow Sasha and Abiey on Instagram. They post their actual listings, which are often even more insane than what makes the final cut.
- Look up the addresses: Most of the "hero" properties in the show are public record. You can find the Zillow or StreetEasy listings to see how long they actually sat on the market after filming stopped.
- Check the "Sold" dates: Reality TV has a long lead time. Some of the deals you see "closing" on screen actually happened a year ago. Checking the property history gives you a clear picture of who actually won the deal.
- Watch the background: New York is a small world. You'll often see "cameos" from agents from other shows or real-life high-society figures who just happened to be at the same party.
New York real estate is a blood sport. The Selling the City Netflix cast just happens to be the one's brave enough—or crazy enough—to let us watch them bleed. It’s not always pretty, but it’s definitely not boring. If you want the fluff, go back to the Valley. If you want to see how the world's most expensive "bricks" are traded, stay in the city.