He's back. Just a little more than two weeks ago, Eric Braeden announced that he would be exiting his role as Victor Newman on "The Young and the Restless," following a salary dispute with Sony, the production company that owns the daytime drama.

Now, Eric talks to ET about his return, following the resumption and successful conclusion of contract negotiations.

ET: How did it come about that you got back into negotiations? Do you think "Y&R" fans had anything to do with it?

Eric Braeden: Let us just say that we arrived at a mutually beneficial arrangement. Obviously, I was very touched by the fans' reaction and support. I must say in all humbleness, it touched me. I had no idea. I am inclined to be a cynic about some things, and I did not expect this type of outpouring.

Did it have something to do with the outcome? I am sure it did. I come from the world of sports where you fight very hard on both sides. You finally come to the end and you shake hands.

ET: How sad were you to be walking away from the character?

Eric Braeden: As you know, in any kind of divorce or loss like that, you go through so many emotions, you can't think straight for awhile. It is kind of a grieving process. It is all kinds of emotions rolled into one.

ET: When are you back? Right now, your last airdate is Nov. 2.

Eric Braeden: I don't know. You would have to ask [head writer] Maria Bell. I don't know when that is planned. Obviously, it would have been difficult. No question about that. I love the role. I love the show. I have been an enormous supporter of it for 30 years.

ET: Can we assume you signed a new three-year deal?

Eric Braeden: You can assume something like that.

ET: What do you look forward to for Victor in the future?

Eric Braeden: To come back and take revenge!

ET: He is so good at that.

Eric Braeden: He is very good at that.

ET: The other show owned by Sony let two of its top cast members go, and didn't suffer in the ratings.

Eric Braeden: It is very difficult to ascertain to what degree one is important to the fabric of the whole thing. You don't know until afterwards. That is the enormous gamble that you take. It is impossible to foretell.

"The Young and the Restless" airs weekdays on CBS.