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In a peaceful area of the Irish capital, an individual is standing in his driveway, dressed in a tank top and expressing his concerns. “I notice my voice is fading. Less noticeable,” remarks Leonard, staring toward the stars. “Events have unfolded and now it seems if I don’t do something, my life will proceed in this minor, harmless existence.” His friend Paul, his closest companion, considers this statement. “There's no harm in that,” he answers, his bathrobe swaying in the breeze. “Preferable to striving for recognition and causing harm instead.”

For those weary by the chaos and fast pace of today’s TV terrain, the show comes similar to a warm cover with a hot drink of blackcurrant juice.

Like its harmless protagonists, this comedy – a half-dozen installment show written by its authors, inspired by Rónán Hession’s understated 2019 novel – looks disapprovingly on contemporary society; looking skeptically above its eyewear at anything related to loud sounds, quick actions or – perish the thought – too much drive. This show is, instead, an ode to introversion; a quiet celebration for those happy to wander out of the spotlight. However. He (another uniquely quirky performance from the star) is uneasy. He senses an increasing “need to open the doors and windows in my existence … a little.” The recent death of his mother has yanked the floor from under his slippers and this young man, an anonymous author, now realizes doubting the decisions that directed him to his current situation (single; sporting facial hair; working on multiple children’s encyclopedias for an employer who ends emails using the words “goodbye for now”).

Thus Leonard launches himself on a quest for emotional fulfilment, alongside his more outgoing Paul (the actor) functioning as his close companion, mentor and co-conspirator in a recurring board games evening that serves both as discussion (“Is the water heated from kids relieving themselves, 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 beginning of the moniker appears lost in history. Maybe Paul previously devoured some food unusually quickly, or responded to a tense moment by panic-peeling some food items by biting into them).

Into Leonard’s gentle world bursts Shelley (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell), a new spring-loaded co-worker who happily suggests to eliminate Leonard’s appalling boss (the character) during the office fire drill. That whooshing sound you can hear is Leonard’s gentle world experiencing a revolution.

In other scenes during the opening installment of a series not heavily plotted and centered around what a modern audience might call “atmosphere”, viewers encounter Paul's father (the consistently great the performer), a tired character who covertly observes, saves and reviews daytime quiz shows to dazzle his loving spouse with his general knowledge.

Guiding the audience 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, “certainly the presence of such a famous actor contradicts the program's low-key style and initially serves only as a distraction?” you're right. Nevertheless, Roberts acquits herself well, and lines such as “Leonard's challenge is his absence of a ‘eureka’ face” assist in making sure that initial doubts yield though not complete approval, then at minimum tolerance.

No more criticism for now. The show's core has good intentions: which is “located on a seat in the company of gentle comedies, showing its favourite duck.” This is a show that ambles along wearing its simple clothes, at times staring at the stars, sometimes downward toward the ground, quietly confident that nothing is in life as heartening as being with close companions.

Open the doors and windows of your life, just a bit, and allow it entry.