It's always exciting when a brand new show graces our screens, and never more so when a line-up of actors and actresses with big names are taking to the forefront.

If you haven't seen some of the shows on the following list, I'd strongly recommend putting a few days aside to catch up with them and immerse yourself in the action.

Penny Dreadful

Currently airing Tuesdays at 9pm on Sky Atlantic and Sky Atlantic HD.

Credit: Sky Atlantic

The excitement surrounding gothic horror series Penny Dreadful was something special, as big names from the classic horror genre were to be reimagined for the small screen.

If you've missed Josh Hartnett in some of his most recent work, he takes the lead here as the charismatic Ethan Chandler, rattled by the world he discovers around him when enlisted by Eva Green's Vanessa Ives and Timothy Dalton's Sir Malcolm in the search of the latter's missing daughter Mina Murray.

It's intense, ticks every box and provides a good amount of scares in the two episodes that have aired so far. Billie Piper and Harry Treadaway also star and put on some fantastic performances.

True Detective

Coming to DVD and blu-ray on June 9.

Credit: Sky Atlantic

Hoping to create something that wasn't just another serial killer cop show, writer Nic Pizzolatto did the seemingly impossible job of re-inventing the crime genre, getting two of Hollywood's finest actors on-board to help him do so - Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey.

Rightfully receiving high critical acclaim, it's a powerful, emotional and gripping eight hours of television that are sure to now pave the way for more inventive, experimental and daring shows in the future.

The acting is on another level completely. Believability and relatability are key if viewers were ever to enjoy this series, and both of those key points are present in spades.

The Musketeers

Out now on DVD and blu-ray.

Credit: BBC

It's been a long time coming, but finally someone has done right by The Musketeers.

Not many were willing to get their hopes up. To-date, there hasn't been a lot of, if any memorable Musketeer performances that I can immediately put my finger on, but the slick and sexy new cast breathe new life into the characters that were beginning to fade away.

Renewed for a second season, it looks set to be one of the most popular shows to come from the BBC for quite some time.

The Island With Bear Grylls

Currently airing Mondays at 9pm on Channel 4.

Credit: Channel 4

Plagued with rumours of being 'fake', did we all really want Channel 4 to toss a load of men onto an island without making sure it was possible for them to survive? A load of deaths would definitely be more controversial than providing the means to survive.

The show on a whole is an extremely interesting one, and as a fan of the whole 'put on an island to survive' genre of television, it's great to see a group of people stripped back to the bare essentials fending for themselves.

The psychological side of things adds a whole other dynamic to the show and confirmation has now been made for a second series, where hopefully a few women will be added to the mix.

Jonah From Tonga

Currently airing Thursdays at 10pm on BBC Three.

Credit: BBC

I was worried after the brilliant Ja'mie: Private School Girl when Chris Lilley revealed his next series would be based on naughty school-boy Jonah Takalua. He was never one of my favourite Lilley characters, so I didn't know if I'd be able to stomach an entire series of his antics.

Fortunately, I was proved wrong and Lilley has pulled out all the stops once again to create one of the funniest and most unique comedies around.

Jonah's at his funniest ever, and the laughs come one after another due to his quick one-liners, jokes that make no sense and new sense of likeability. Jonah is a character you now want to succeed, but whether he will be able to do just that remains to be seen.

by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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