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In a calm area of the Irish capital, a person is standing outside his home, sporting a vest and expressing his feelings. “I notice myself getting quieter. More invisible,” remarks Leonard, staring toward the stars. “One thing’s led to another and at this point I believe without a change, I’ll just carry on in this quiet, unremarkable life.” Paul, his closest and only friend, reflects on this statement. “There's no harm in that,” he responds, his bathrobe flapping gently. “Better than attempting to leave an impact and causing harm instead.”

For those exhausted by the noise and rat-tat-tat of today’s TV landscape, this series steps in like a foil blanket and a comforting beverage of a sweet cordial.

Similar to its harmless protagonists, this comedy – a six-part show created by the writing duo, based on the author’s subtle 2019 novel – takes a dim view toward today's world; gazing skeptically over its prematurely middle-aged glasses on everything in the way of loud sounds, abrupt changes or – goodness forbid – excessive aspiration. This show is, instead, a celebration of shyness; a gentle tribute of those happy to pootle around below the parapet. And yet. The character (a further distinctly original portrayal from the star) is unsettled. He notices an increasing “desire to unlock the openings within my world … just a bit.” The passing of his beloved mother has whisked the rug away from his feet and Leonard, an anonymous author, now realizes reconsidering the decisions that directed him to this point (single; with a protective mustache; creating multiple kids' reference books for a boss who concludes correspondence using the words “see you later”).

And so Leonard starts himself on a quest for personal satisfaction, alongside his more outgoing friend Paul (Laurie Kynaston) serving as his trusted friend, guide and ally during their regular game night which acts as debate (“Is the water heated due to children urinating, or is it that kids pee since it's warm?”) and safe space.

(What's the origin of "Hungry" Paul? No idea. The source of this name seems forgotten in mystery. Perhaps the postal worker once ate a sandwich in record time, or reacted to a tense moment by panic-peeling four scotch eggs by biting into them).

Entering Leonard's quiet life bursts a vibrant character (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell), a recent spring-loaded associate who cheerily offers to eliminate his terrible supervisor (the actor) during the office fire drill. The rushing noise you can hear represents Leonard's calm life being turned upside down.

In other scenes during the opening installment of this program driven less by plot and centered around what younger viewers might call “vibes”, viewers encounter the older generation (the brilliant Lorcan Cranitch), a battered sofa of a man who covertly observes, tapes and rewatches trivia competitions to amaze his loving spouse using his trivia skills.

Leading viewers throughout this subtle warmth there is a voiceover that sounds very much like – and, indeed, very much is – Julia Roberts. Yes, the star. If you are thinking, “surely the use of such a famous actor is at odds with the program's low-key style and starts off as just a diversion?” that's accurate. However, the actress performs admirably, and dialogue such as “The issue with Leonard is the missing a look of sudden insight” help ensure that early misgivings fade though not complete approval, then at minimum tolerance.

No more criticism at this time. Leonard and Hungry Paul’s heart is well-intentioned: the right place being “sitting on a park bench alongside similar shows, indicating its preferred bird.” This is a show that ambles along in its sleeveless jumper, sometimes gazing upward at the stars, sometimes downward toward the ground, quietly confident that no experience is in life as uplifting as spending time alongside good friends.

Throw open the portals in your existence, slightly, and let it in.