It's hard to imagine The Young and the Restless without Victor Newman, but viewers might not have to imagine it at all, because it could soon be a reality.
Portrayer Eric Braeden has taken off on an extended vacation, and his absence means his popular alter ego could be somewhat MIA from Genoa City.
The actor has left on a month-long journey to the north of Germany, where he was born and lived until emigrating to the United States in 1959.
"It is the 60th anniversary of [my] winning the German Youth Championship. I was javelin, discus, and shot put champion," he tells TV Insider of the reason behind the trip. "I'm seeing some of my fellow athletes for the first time in 60 years!"
When asked how the show will handle Victor while he's away, Braeden says he isn't sure if the character will jet off on a business trip or what is really in store. At the moment, it seems Joshua Morrow's Nicholas Newman will take center stage as the business mogul in town, because he just launched Dark Horse.
"It's a very nice storyline for Joshua," Braeden says. "He deserves it. He's one of the few actors I've always said could go on to have a career in nighttime and film. He has what it takes. I'm very glad he has this storyline where he sits in a powerful chair."
Compelling Dark Horse storyline or not, the fans will most certainly miss The Mustache while he's away -- which he's thankful for.
"That's very nice to hear," he says. "We take very few vacations in daytime because the show is on every week. Going for two weeks is just not worth it [when you add in] travel time and jet lag. It's just not worth it. I'm going to visit relatives and friends while I'm there."
Braeden has already started posting photos from his trip to social media. Check out a few of his snaps below and let us know how you feel about the possibility of Victor heading to the back burner at Y&R.
Wow!!!! Beautiful!!!! I love that. This where I escape to when I need away from all the craziness! Enjoy @EBraeden Eric have a awesome day!! pic.twitter.com/Y6Y121JU3v
— Sherry Sabatino (@ssabatino22) September 9, 2018
My favorite spot to sit and reminisce and think of all the people I love and those that are gone!! pic.twitter.com/VZgJvrv17A
— Eric Braeden (@EBraeden) September 10, 2018
Great manor house nearby! pic.twitter.com/Zhof1x2maH
— Eric Braeden (@EBraeden) September 10, 2018
What do you think about Braeden taking a break from Y&R? How do you hope the powers that be have handled the actor's absence? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.