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In a peaceful neighborhood of Dublin, a person is standing outside his home, dressed in a vest and expressing his feelings. “I feel I'm becoming more silent. More invisible,” remarks the protagonist, staring toward the stars. “Events have unfolded and currently I feel like if I don’t do something, I’ll just carry on in this simple, peaceful routine.” Hungry Paul, his only companion, considers these words. “That's perfectly fine,” he replies, his bathrobe swaying in the breeze. “Superior to attempting to leave an impact and causing harm instead.”

For anyone tired by the bluster and constant stimulation of modern television landscape, this series steps in similar to a warm cover and a comforting beverage of Ribena.

Like its harmless protagonists, this comedy – a six-part program created by Richie Conroy and Mark Hodkinson, inspired by the author’s quiet story – takes a dim view at modern life; looking skeptically over its eyewear toward anything related to disturbances, sudden movements or – goodness forbid – an abundance of ambition. The series rather, a tribute to quiet people; a subtle homage for those content to amble along away from attention. And yet. He (a further distinctly original portrayal from the star) is uneasy. He senses an increasing “desire to unlock the entryways of my life … a little.” The loss of his beloved mother has pulled the carpet out from under him and the 32-year-old, a writer for others, now finds himself reconsidering the paths that directed him to his current situation (unattached; sporting facial hair; working on multiple kids' reference books for a man who ends messages using the words “goodbye for now”).

Therefore Leonard begins himself on a quest to find happiness, alongside his more outgoing Paul (the actor) serving as his trusted friend, guide and ally in a weekly gaming session functioning as both discussion (“Is the water heated because kids pee in it, or do kids pee in it since it's warm?”) and safe space.

(Why “Hungry” Paul? The reason is unknown. The source of the moniker appears lost in history. Maybe Paul on one occasion consumed a snack in record time, or responded to a socially fraught incident by nervously peeling several snacks with his teeth).

Arriving in Leonard's calm existence comes a vibrant character (the actress), a fresh spring-loaded associate who happily suggests to eliminate Leonard’s appalling boss (the actor) in a workplace safety exercise. That whooshing sound you can hear represents Leonard's calm life being turned upside down.

In other scenes in the initial show of a series not heavily plotted and more on what younger viewers may refer to as “vibes”, we are introduced to Hungry Paul’s dad (the ever-wonderful the actor), a worn-out individual who covertly observes, tapes and rewatches television game programs to amaze his devoted partner through his fact recall.

Leading the audience amidst this gentle kindness we hear a narrator that is unmistakably – and actually is – the Hollywood icon. Yes, Julia Roberts. If you are thinking, “surely the inclusion of a major Hollywood star is at odds with the program's low-key style and at first acts merely as an interruption?” you would be correct. However, Roberts acquits herself well, and phrases for example “The issue with Leonard is his absence of an expression of discovery” contribute to ensuring that initial doubts give way though not complete approval, then at minimum tolerance.

Enough complaining at this time. The series' spirit is in the right place: that place is “resting on a bench next to the Detectorists, showing its preferred bird.” The program that ambles along in its sleeveless jumper, at times staring toward the sky, at other times looking at its slippers, serenely certain that no experience is in the world as uplifting as passing time with dear pals.

Throw open the portals in your existence, just a bit, and welcome it inside.