EXCLUSIVE: Star of 'Owning Manhattan' Peter Zaitzeff Reveals Shocking Reason for Joining Ryan Serhant—and the Real Story Behind His Boss's On-Air Meltdown

Netflixs hit series Owning Manhattan welcomed a fresh face this season: Peter Zaitzeff, a former Corcoran agent. The 41-year-old revealed that a simple coin flip ultimately guided his decision to leave his longtime position and join Ryan Serhants brokerage.

Since its June 2024 debut, Owning Manhattan has captivated audiences with its showcase of luxurious properties, high-pressure negotiations, and behind-the-scenes drama. With the launch of Season 2, viewers can expect even more insider rivalry and an inside look at Peters integration into Serhants competitive team.

After seven years at Corcoran, Peters switch to Serhant surprised many in the real estate world. He explained that although the move was considered carefully, the final push came down to a coin toss at his apartment. When the coin landed on tails, he knew it was time to take the leap.

Peter admitted that Ryan Serhant had been courting him for years. The brokers persistence, combined with the promise of bigger career opportunities, convinced Peter that joining Serhant was the right long-term decision. Ryan made a compelling case that the growth potential here would surpass what I had at Corcoran, Peter said.

Despite the allure of new challenges, Peter confessed that he deliberated extensively over the transition, aware of the difficulties in establishing himself with a new team. Having started his career at Douglas Elliman before moving to Corcoran, he understood that adapting to a new environment would take effort.

Season 2, which premiered on December 5, 2025, highlights Peters rise within Serhants team and the office dynamics that accompany it. Although some former colleagues doubted his decision, warning him that Ryan was a one-hit wonder, Peter took two to three months to make the final choice and eventually joined the brokerage.

Initially, the existing Serhant team was wary of Peter. The tension was noticeable during filming and took roughly eight to twelve months for the team to fully accept him. Nonetheless, Peter stayed focused on his work, leveraging his extensive experience to succeed in the competitive Manhattan market.

Peters achievements include his role as sales director for the luxurious 200 Amsterdam building and a high-profile $60 million sale at 150 Charles Street in the West Village. While his rapid success caused some on-screen friction with Ryanculminating in a memorable moment where Ryan smashed a vasePeter insists their relationship remains positive. He emphasized, Healthy competition is good. Ryan and I have different territories and strengths, and we move past these moments constructively.

Ryan Serhant echoed this sentiment, noting that adding Peter to the team just made sense as part of building a top-tier brokerage squad.

Peter now describes himself as fully satisfied with his decision to join Serhant, feeling valued by his colleagues and recognized as a significant player in the luxury real estate scene. Season 2 of Owning Manhattan is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

Author: Gavin Porter