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In a peaceful area of the Irish capital, a person can be found outside his home, dressed in a sleeveless jumper and sharing his concerns. “I feel my voice is fading. More invisible,” states the protagonist, staring toward the stars. “Events have unfolded and at this point it seems unless I take action, my life will proceed in this minor, harmless existence.” Paul, his closest and only friend, ponders these words. “There's no harm in that,” he replies, his bathrobe swaying with the wind. “Superior to trying to make a mark and causing harm instead.”

For those exhausted by the chaos and fast pace of today’s TV landscape, this series arrives similar to a warm cover and a comforting beverage of blackcurrant juice.

In line with its quiet characters, Leonard and Hungry Paul – a six-episode comedy written by the writing duo, inspired by the novelist’s quiet 2019 novel – casts a critical eye on contemporary society; gazing skeptically above its eyewear at anything that involves disturbances, sudden movements or – perish the thought – excessive aspiration. The program rather, a celebration of shyness; a gentle tribute of those satisfied to wander below the parapet. And yet. The character (one more distinctly original turn from the star) is uneasy. He senses a growing “urge to throw open the entryways in my existence … a little.” The loss of his mother has whisked the rug out from under him and this young man, a writer for others, now finds himself doubting the decisions that have brought him to where he is (alone; sporting facial hair; writing multiple kids' reference books for a boss who signs off messages saying “see you later”).

Therefore Leonard starts himself on a quest for personal satisfaction, alongside his more outgoing friend Paul (the performer) serving as his confidante, mentor and co-conspirator during their regular board games evening functioning as both discussion (“Is the water heated due to children urinating, or do kids pee in it as it's heated?”) and sanctuary.

(Why “Hungry” Paul? It's unclear. The beginning of this name seems forgotten in history. It could be that he previously devoured some food very fast, or responded to an awkward situation by nervously peeling several snacks with his teeth).

Entering Leonard's quiet life cartwheels a vibrant character (the actress), a fresh spring-loaded associate who happily suggests to eliminate his terrible supervisor (the character) during the office fire drill. The rushing noise noticeable represents Leonard's calm life being turned upside down.

Elsewhere during the opening installment of this program focused less on story and centered around what younger viewers might call “mood”, viewers encounter the older generation (the ever-wonderful the performer), a battered sofa of a man who covertly observes, saves and reviews trivia competitions to dazzle his loving spouse with his general knowledge.

Shepherding us throughout this minor-key niceness we hear a narrator that sounds very much like – and, indeed, very much is – Julia Roberts. Truly, the star. In case you're considering, “undoubtedly the presence of a big-name celebrity contradicts the program's low-key style and initially serves only as a distraction?” you're right. Nevertheless, Roberts does a good job, and phrases such as “Leonard's challenge is the missing an expression of discovery” help ensure that initial doubts yield if not quite to appreciation, then at minimum tolerance.

But that’s enough grumbling for now. The show's core is well-intentioned: that place is “sitting on a park bench alongside similar shows, indicating its favourite duck.” It’s a series that ambles along in comfortable attire, at times staring into space, occasionally down at its slippers, quietly confident that nothing is in life as uplifting as being alongside close companions.

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