how early? and do you want flowers or foliage? These are some of the plants I grow in shade.
heucheras/heucherella/tiarella/ajuga/mitella/tellima/
Vinca minor/lamium/carex/pulmonaria/ range of evergreen ferns.

there will be other suggestions too I am sure.

Thanks Seaburn girl. I looked some up and like the look of the tiarella's, very pretty.

Epimediums, primroses, anemone ranunculoides, anemone nemorosa, carefull though, it becomes an addiction...

Teadrinker- yes I know what you mean..... Need to dig out some old plants to make way for some new!