If you have a giant hole in your heart (and your Sunday nights) where Game of Thrones used to reside, then you’re probably one of the many fans who is waiting for the recently-announced GOT prequel series with bated breath. According to HBO, the series will chronicle “the world’s descent from the Golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour”. The still-unnamed series will cover everything from White Walkers to the “mysteries of the East” to the “Starks of legend”. In other words, we’ll be watching. But until the series premieres (it’s currently filming in Northern Ireland), fans are still trying to find out as much information as possible about the new show when much of the details have been kept under wraps.

Recently, the “Song of Ice and Fire” author George R R Martin (who also serves as an Executive Producer on the new series) sat down in an interview with Entertainment Weekly to answer some of the fans’ burning questions regarding the who, what, and where of the prequel. Read on to find out some of the exciting facts he shared about the upcoming series!

1. The show will be set thousands of years before the events of “Game of Thrones” took place

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In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, George R R Martin described the time period that the new prequel would be set in: “We talk about the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros; there were Seven Kingdoms at the time of Aegon’s Conquest,” he said. “But if you go back further, then there are nine kingdoms, and 12 kingdoms, and eventually you get back to where there are a hundred kingdoms — petty kingdoms — and that’s the era we’re talking about here.” According to the Game of Thrones Wikia, this time period is set during the “Age of Heroes”, a time period that happened 5,000-10,000 years ago.

2. It is a truly female-led production

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Not only was the pilot written by showrunner Jane Goldman, but the recently-announced cast consists of Naomi Watts, Naomi Ackie, and Denise Gough. This is a stark (no pun intended) departure from the original series that was written, produced, and directed by almost an exclusively male production team, which often came under fire for its portrayal and treatment of women on the show.

In other exciting news, this cast also includes people of color, including black British actress Naomi Ackie and American Latino actor Marquis Rodriguez. This is also a massive change for the epic fantasy series which had only a few people of color in its sprawling ensemble cast.

3. The Starks will be in the prequel

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Die-hard “Game of Thrones” fans know that it’s only logical if members of House Stark appear in the prequel. After all, House Stark is one of the oldest lines of Westerosi nobility, with their line of descent being able to be traced back eight thousand years. According to George R. R. Martin himself in his interview with Entertainment Weekly, “The Starks will definitely be [in the prequel]”. We’re definitely pumped about this. What’s a “Game of Thrones” show without the noblest and (blindingly) loyal family in all of Westeros there to root for?

4. There will be White Walkers, direwolves, and…mammoths? Oh my!

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Just as “Game of Thrones” was full of giants and dragons and witches, the prequel will also have no shortage of mythical creatures. “Obviously the White Walkers are [in the prequel] and that will be an aspect of it,” said Martin. “There are things like direwolves and mammoths.” We, for one, can’t wait to see giant CGI mammoths marching across our TV screens.

5. The Lannisters won’t be there to pay their debts.

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According to Martin, the Lannisters, along with their wily ways, have not yet entered the Westerosi picture. Instead, Casterly Rock (the famous castle that the Lannisters occupied in the original series) will be occupied by, well…the House of Casterly. “The Lannisters aren’t there yet, but Casterly Rock is certainly there,” Martin said. “It’s actually occupied by the Casterlys — for whom it’s still named after in the time of Game of Thrones”. According to legend previously referenced to in the GOT universe, Lann (the founder of House Lannister) “won Casterly Rock from the noble house of Casterly during the Age of Heroes” using “only his wits”. Here’s to hoping that storyline features prominently on the new series!

With all of this new information, we’re certain that the “Game of Thrones” prequel will perfectly scratch the itch that we’ve been having since the dear departure of our beloved fantasy series. Now, all that we have to do is wait for someone to leak information about the series premiere so we can send out invites to our watch party. Until then, we’ll just be re-watching old episodes on HBO.

In the small Mexican-American town of San Benito in Texas, many girls dream of the day that they will make their debut as women to their family and community. But the tabs for orders of gowns, crowns, food, decorations, and DJs often run so high that for awhile such events for the girls in town were out of reach.

Then, Gilbert Galvan, the principal of San Benito Veterans Memorial Academy, came up with an idea that meant that not a single girl would be forced to miss out on the opportunity to take part in the tradition.

Since 2015, San Benito has hosted an annual quinceañera event for young girls and their families.

CREDIT: Avenida Productions

Nearly five years ago, Gilbert Galvan Sr. found himself being invited to quinceañeras by the students at his school. Then one day, some of the answers from the young women at his school caught his attention. After a few of his female students opened up to him about the fact that they did not have enough money to afford a quinceañera, Galvan Sr. was inspired to do put on a party for them on his own.

In just a matter of months, the educator sought out donations from his community to put on one massive quinceañera. Donations and gifts came in all forms– from cakes and dresses to crowns and the volunteered time of makeup artists and mariachi singers. That was the first year.

In the years that have followed, Galvan Sr. has continued to put on the event where as many as 40 girls have attended at a time. Today, donations for the girls come in from across the country.

The community quinceañera has gained so much attention that it’s now becoming captured in a documentary.

CREDIT: Avenida Productions

As reported by FIERCE by mitú last year, Galvan’s son, Gilbert Galvan Jr. —who has worked in the entertainment industry for ten years— was inspired by his father’s efforts and pitched the event as a documentary concept to Fanny Véliz, the award-winning filmmaker and CEO behind Avenida Productions. Now, having been directed by Véliz and given the name “Our Quinceañera” appears to be closer to its release. According to the documentary’s site, the film is in submission for festivals!

During an interview with FIERCE last year, Galvan Jr. said he hoped the documentary will inspire viewers to “embrace their heritage and celebrate the power of community… We want to document this historic event while empowering and inspiring Latina girls across the country to pursue and achieve their dreams.”

Check out the full trailer below!