Netflix “doubles down” on docusoaps with renewals for ‘Selling Sunset’ & ‘Bling Empire’ & new commissions for their creators

Selling Sunset

Netflix has renewed LA-based docusoaps Selling Sunset and Bling Empire and ordered two new projects from their respective production companies, with the streamer announcing it is doubling down on the genre.

Selling Sunset is produced by Done and Done Productions and Lionsgate and follows LA realtors at The Oppenheim Group as they compete in a cutthroat market – and each other. One of Netflix’s first forays into docusoap, the streamer has renewed the show for two more seasons.

Done and Done and exec producer Adam DiVello will now also be making Allure Realty for Netflix, following an all-Black, all-female real estate firm on the Florida coast.

Bling Empire, meanwhile, debuted in January and has been picked up for a second season. Produced by Jeff Jenkins Productions, in association with 3BMG, it follows a “wildly wealthy” group of Asian and Asian-American friends – and frenemies – in Los Angeles.

Jeff Jenkins, Ross Weintraub, Reinout Oerlemans, who executive produce Bling Empire, are being joined by Julia Haart and showrunner Lenid Rolov for My Unorthodox Life.

This new docusoap, also from Jeff Jenkins Productions, in association with 3BMG, will premiere later in the year and focus on the personal and professional life of fashion mogul Julia Haart – former member of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community turned CEO of Elite World Group.

“Whether you love these shows outright or just love a guilty pleasure, we’re thrilled that Netflix members have embraced our docusoaps,” commented Brandon Riegg, VP of unscripted and documentary series at Netflix.