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In a quiet suburb of the Irish capital, an individual stands on the pavement, wearing a sleeveless jumper and voicing his thoughts. “I feel my voice is fading. Less noticeable,” remarks Leonard, staring toward the stars. “Circumstances have evolved and at this point it seems if I don’t do something, I will continue in this simple, peaceful routine.” Paul, Leonard’s best confidant, considers the idea. “That's perfectly fine,” he replies, his robe moving gently. “Superior to trying to make a mark and causing harm instead.”

For those exhausted by the bluster and constant stimulation of current streaming offerings, this series steps in as a cozy wrap with a hot drink of a sweet cordial.

Similar to its harmless protagonists, this comedy – a half-dozen installment comedy created by its authors, based on the author’s subtle book – casts a critical eye on contemporary society; gazing critically above its eyewear toward anything that involves disturbances, sudden movements or – goodness forbid – too much drive. This show on the contrary, a tribute to quiet people; a subtle homage of those happy to pootle around out of the spotlight. However. He (one more sublimely idiosyncratic portrayal from the star) is uneasy. He feels a creeping “urge to throw open the entryways of my life … a little.” The loss of his mother has yanked the floor away from his feet and the 32-year-old, a ghost writer, now feels questioning the choices that directed him to this point (alone; sporting facial hair; creating several educational volumes for an employer who ends messages using the words “see you later”).

Thus Leonard begins on a journey for emotional fulfilment, alongside his more outgoing Hungry Paul (the performer) functioning as his trusted friend, life coach and ally in a weekly gaming session functioning as both discussion (“Is the water heated due to children urinating, or do children urinate since it's warm?”) and safe space.

(How did Paul get his nickname? The reason is unknown. The origin of the nickname seems forgotten in mystery. Perhaps the postal worker on one occasion consumed a snack unusually quickly, or responded to a socially fraught incident by panic-peeling some food items by biting into them).

Arriving in Leonard's calm existence cartwheels Shelley (the performer), a fresh lively colleague who happily suggests to eliminate Leonard’s appalling boss (the character) in a workplace safety exercise. That whooshing sound audible is Leonard’s gentle world experiencing a revolution.

In another part in the first episode of a series focused less on story and centered around what younger viewers might call “vibes”, viewers encounter Hungry Paul’s dad (the brilliant the actor), a tired character who secretly watches, saves and reviews trivia competitions to dazzle his devoted partner through his fact recall.

Shepherding viewers amidst this gentle kindness is a narrator that is unmistakably – and actually is – the famous actress. Indeed, Julia Roberts. If you are thinking, “certainly the presence of a major Hollywood star is at odds with the series’ unshowy MO and at first acts merely as an interruption?” you would be correct. Nevertheless, Roberts does a good job, and phrases such as “Leonard's challenge is the missing a look of sudden insight” assist in making sure that early misgivings yield though not complete approval, then at least acceptance.

No more criticism at this time. The show's core is well-intentioned: the right place being “located on a seat next to the Detectorists, showing its favourite duck.” The program that ambles along wearing its simple clothes, sometimes gazing upward into space, occasionally down at its slippers, calmly assured that no experience is in the world as cheering as being in the company of dear pals.

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