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In a peaceful suburb of Dublin, an individual can be found outside his home, wearing a vest and sharing his feelings. “I feel my voice is fading. Harder to see,” states the main character, looking into the darkness. “Circumstances have evolved and at this point it seems without a change, I’ll just carry on in this quiet, unremarkable life.” His friend Paul, Leonard’s best companion, ponders this statement. “There's no harm in that,” he answers, his robe flapping in the breeze. “Superior to trying to make a mark and causing harm instead.”

For anyone weary by the noise and fast pace of modern television terrain, Leonard and Hungry Paul arrives similar to a warm cover and warming mug of Ribena.

In line with its gentle leads, the series – a six-episode show created by the writing duo, inspired by the author’s quiet story – casts a critical eye toward today's world; looking disapprovingly through its spectacles toward anything in the way of unnecessary noise, sudden movements or – heaven forfend – excessive aspiration. This show is, instead, an ode to introversion; a subtle homage to people content to amble along out of the spotlight. But. Leonard (another distinctly original performance from the star) is unsettled. He senses a growing “desire to unlock the openings of my life … slightly.” The loss of his beloved mother has yanked the floor away from his feet and this young man, a writer for others, now finds himself reconsidering the paths that have brought him to his current situation (alone; defensively moustached; creating several children’s encyclopedias for a boss who signs off emails using the words “see you later”).

And so Leonard begins an exploration to find happiness, accompanied by the somewhat braver Hungry Paul (the actor) functioning as his close companion, life coach and partner in a weekly gaming session functioning as both discussion (“Does the pool feel warm due to children urinating, or is it that kids pee as it's heated?”) and sanctuary.

(What's the origin of "Hungry" Paul? The reason is unknown. The origin of the moniker appears lost in mystery. Maybe he once ate some food unusually quickly, or responded to an awkward situation by nervously peeling some food items with his teeth).

Into Leonard’s gentle world comes a vibrant character (the actress), a recent spring-loaded co-worker who happily suggests to eliminate the awful manager (the actor) during the office fire drill. The swift movement noticeable represents Leonard's calm life being turned upside down.

In another part in the first episode of this program not heavily plotted and centered around what younger viewers could describe as “vibes”, we are introduced to the older generation (the consistently great the actor), a worn-out individual who covertly observes, tapes and rewatches television game programs to amaze his loving spouse through his fact recall.

Leading viewers amidst this minor-key niceness there is a voiceover that is unmistakably – and, indeed, very much is – the Hollywood icon. Truly, Julia Roberts. In case you're considering, “certainly the inclusion of a big-name celebrity is at odds with the show's modest approach and initially serves only as an interruption?” you're right. Nevertheless, Roberts does a good job, and dialogue for example “Leonard's challenge is the missing a look of sudden insight” assist in making sure that initial doubts fade if not quite to appreciation, then at least acceptance.

But that’s enough grumbling for now. Leonard and Hungry Paul’s heart is well-intentioned: which is “resting on a bench in the company of gentle comedies, pointing out the duck it loves.” The program that moves gently in its sleeveless jumper, at times staring into space, sometimes downward toward the ground, calmly assured that nothing is on Earth as cheering as spending time in the company of good friends.

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