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In a quiet area of the Irish capital, an individual is standing on the pavement, wearing a vest and voicing his feelings. “It seems like I'm becoming more silent. Harder to see,” states the protagonist, staring into the darkness. “Circumstances have evolved and currently I believe unless I take action, I’ll just carry on in this minor, harmless existence.” Hungry Paul, Leonard’s best companion, ponders this statement. “That's perfectly fine,” he answers, his dressing gown moving with the wind. “Better than trying to make a mark and causing harm instead.”

For those tired by the bluster and constant stimulation of modern television landscape, the show steps in similar to a foil blanket with a hot drink of Ribena.

Similar to its harmless protagonists, the series – a six-part comedy created by its authors, inspired by Rónán Hession’s understated book – looks disapprovingly at modern life; gazing critically over its eyewear on everything related to disturbances, sudden movements or – heaven forfend – excessive aspiration. This show is, instead, an ode to introversion; a gentle tribute to people content to wander out of the spotlight. And yet. He (a further sublimely idiosyncratic performance by the actor) is unsettled. He feels an increasing “urge to throw open the openings within my world … just a bit.” The passing of his beloved mother has whisked the rug from under his slippers and Leonard, an anonymous author, now realizes reconsidering the decisions which led him to where he is (single; sporting facial hair; writing several children’s encyclopedias for a boss who ends correspondence with the phrase “ciao for now”).

And so Leonard starts on a journey to find happiness, alongside his more outgoing Paul (Laurie Kynaston) functioning as his trusted friend, guide and co-conspirator in a weekly game night that serves both as discussion (“Is the pool warm from kids relieving themselves, or is it that kids pee as it's heated?”) and safe space.

(Why “Hungry” Paul? The reason is unknown. The origin of the moniker appears lost in history. Maybe Paul once ate some food very fast, or answered to an awkward situation by panic-peeling some food items by biting into them).

Arriving in Leonard's calm existence bursts a new colleague (the performer), a recent spring-loaded associate who cheerily offers to eliminate Leonard’s appalling boss (the character) during the office fire drill. That whooshing sound audible is Leonard’s gentle world undergoing a shake-up.

In another part in the first episode of a series not heavily plotted and more on what the under-30s may refer to as “mood”, we are introduced to Hungry Paul’s dad (the ever-wonderful the actor), a tired character who covertly observes, records then replays trivia competitions to dazzle his devoted partner using his trivia skills.

Shepherding viewers amidst this subtle warmth there is a voiceover that sounds very much like – and, indeed, very much is – Julia Roberts. Truly, the celebrity. In case you're considering, “undoubtedly the use of a major Hollywood star clashes with the program's low-key style and initially serves only as a diversion?” you're right. Nevertheless, Roberts acquits herself well, and dialogue for example “Leonard’s problem is the missing a look of sudden insight” help ensure that initial doubts give way though not complete approval, then at least acceptance.

Enough complaining currently. The show's core is in the right place: the right place being “located on a seat in the company of gentle comedies, pointing out its preferred bird.” This is a show that ambles along in its sleeveless jumper, sometimes gazing upward toward the sky, at other times looking toward the ground, serenely certain that nothing is in the world as uplifting as passing time alongside dear pals.

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