The best new TV shows to watch this Spring - as chosen by you

At a time when terrestrial channels, Sky and streaming services boast hundreds of TV dramas and comedies between them, recommendations have never been more important.

Good suggestions can be the difference between hours of wasted time, and finding your new favourite show.

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So to help you narrow down your watch-lists, and prioritise your viewing, we asked members of our TV discussion group Screen Babble to highlight their must-see new series.

Save time for Save Me

One show which has been recommended numerous times is Sky drama Save Me. Starring Lennie James (who also created it) and Doctor Foster's Suranne Jones, it revolves around a long-estranged couple searching for their missing daughter.

"A quality drama - the storyline has me gripped," says Alan Barley.

"Good acting, well written. Also deals with a difficult subject well," adds Simon Webb.

Stuart Chandler praises its "powerhouse performance from Lennie James", while Steve Wilkins points to its "brilliantly realised characters" who, he notes, you warm to despite their flaws.

Elsewhere on the drama front, Alison Hodson heartily suggests you give Seven Seconds on Netflix a try. It's a US series that deals with racial tensions following a boy's death.

"It crosses into so many different social issues, and the characters are so easy to grasp, even though some are thoroughly dislikeable," she writes.

Sci-fi thriller Altered Carbon is also on a lot of viewers' minds. "Superb," says Matt Healey. "Enjoyed the book and that was a really good adaption for me.

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Raisin Da Corgi, by contrast, feels there were "some significant departures from its source material", but that it "was really well done" nonetheless.

Queer Eye: 'wonderful, uplifting'

If you're after something completely different from serious, murky drama, however, Screen Babble's membership urge you to give Netflix's revival of Queer Eye For The Straight Guy a go.

"Queer Eye is delightful," says i Head of Audience Luke Lewis. "Just the kind of uplifting, big hearted, life-affirming show we all need right now."

Lauren MacAskill agrees: "Seconded on Queer Eye - it’s a wonderful, uplifting show full of heart and positivity. It’s giving an extremely positive voice to the LGBT community and represents a diverse spectrum of people."

Queer Eye - "full of heart" (Photo: Carin Baer/Netflix)

Niamh Burns feels it is great "to have a show which is light-hearted fun and feelgood while also being inclusive", noting it's "only left me disappointed because there aren't enough episodes!"

Those looking for another fun fix should check out the new series of BBC comedy This Country, says Les Mcallister: "excellent for knockabout humour".

Shows to dive into - and to look forward to

Viewers are also keen to suggest ongoing series that are worth checking out - and returns to get excited for.

Caryl Gibbs is a fan of Aaron Paul vehicle The Path on Amazon Prime: "It’s nearing the end of the second series, but it explores some amazing themes of faith and belief."

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Alan Clark just started watching historical epic Vikings last month, and it's not just the action that's making it a compulsive binge: "It has everything I like in a TV series. The characters/actors draw you in and... it feels like you really know them."

The Handmaid's Tale returns in April (Photo: Hulu)

As for things to keep your eyes peeled for, The Handmaid's Tale is back in April.

"Season 2 is on it’s way...yay!" says Jo Mawer Donaldson. "Had me absolutely riveted. Loved everything about it, soundtrack, acting, everything. Horrific yet compelling."

Mary Powrie, meanwhile, hails Outlander as "the best show on TV".

"Sam Heughan is such a good actor, as are all the cast. The new series is being filmed in Scotland at the moment, and will hopefully be aired soon."

Other recommendations from Screen Babble users:

The Sinner (watch on Netflix)

Manhunt: Unabomber (watch on Netflix)

Gomorrah (watch on Sky Box Sets)

Please Like Me (watch on Prime)

Shakespeare and Hathaway (watch on iPlayer)

Bosch (watch on Prime)

Derry Girls (watch on All4)

The Looming Tower (watch on Prime)

• Join the discussion now on Screen Babble, the TV chat group on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on our sister title, iNews