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In a calm neighborhood of Dublin, a person can be found outside his home, dressed in a tank top and expressing his concerns. “I notice my voice is fading. More invisible,” says Leonard, staring toward the stars. “Events have unfolded and now I feel like without a change, my life will proceed in this minor, harmless existence.” Hungry Paul, Leonard’s best confidant, ponders this statement. “That's perfectly fine,” he answers, his bathrobe moving with the wind. “Superior to striving for recognition and causing harm instead.”

For viewers tired by the chaos and rat-tat-tat of current streaming offerings, this series arrives like a cozy wrap and warming mug of blackcurrant juice.

Like its gentle leads, this comedy – a six-episode show created by its authors, adapted from the novelist’s quiet story – looks disapprovingly on contemporary society; gazing disapprovingly over its prematurely middle-aged glasses on everything related to loud sounds, quick actions or – heaven forfend – excessive aspiration. The series rather, an ode to introversion; a gentle tribute of those happy to amble along away from attention. And yet. Leonard (one more distinctly original turn by the actor) is unsettled. He feels an increasing “desire to unlock the entryways of my life … slightly.” The passing of his mother has pulled the carpet away from his feet and this young man, an anonymous author, now feels reconsidering the decisions which led him to his current situation (alone; sporting facial hair; writing several kids' reference books for a boss who concludes emails with the phrase “goodbye for now”).

Thus Leonard starts himself on a quest to find happiness, accompanied by the somewhat braver Paul (Laurie Kynaston) functioning as his confidante, guide and ally during their regular game night that serves both as debate (“Is the pool warm due to children urinating, or do kids pee in it since it's warm?”) and safe space.

(What's the origin of "Hungry" Paul? The reason is unknown. The source of the nickname appears lost to the mists of time. Perhaps Paul on one occasion consumed some food very fast, or responded to a tense moment by hastily opening several snacks with his teeth).

Arriving in Leonard's calm existence cartwheels a new colleague (the performer), a recent lively colleague who lightheartedly proposes to kill Leonard’s appalling boss (the actor) at a fire practice. The rushing noise audible represents Leonard's calm life being turned upside down.

In other scenes in the initial show of this program focused less on story and more on what younger viewers may refer to as “atmosphere”, we meet Paul's father (the consistently great Lorcan Cranitch), a battered sofa of a man who privately views, saves and reviews television game programs to dazzle his devoted partner with his general knowledge.

Leading viewers throughout this subtle warmth is a narrator that sounds very much like – and truly is – Julia Roberts. Yes, the celebrity. In case you're considering, “surely the use of a major Hollywood star is at odds with the series’ unshowy MO and starts off as just a diversion?” that's accurate. Still, Roberts does a good job, and lines for example “Leonard’s problem is his absence of a ‘eureka’ face” contribute to ensuring that first reservations yield if not quite to appreciation, then at minimum tolerance.

No more criticism at this time. Leonard and Hungry Paul’s heart is well-intentioned: the right place being “resting on a bench in the company of gentle comedies, indicating the duck it loves.” The program that strolls leisurely in comfortable attire, sometimes gazing upward into space, sometimes downward at its feet, serenely certain that no experience is in life as cheering as passing time alongside dear pals.

Open the doors and windows in your existence, a little, and allow it entry.