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In a calm neighborhood of the Irish capital, a man can be found in his driveway, dressed in a tank top and expressing his concerns. “It seems like I'm becoming more silent. Less noticeable,” states the protagonist, gazing toward the stars. “Circumstances have evolved and now it seems unless I take action, I will continue in this quiet, unremarkable life.” His friend Paul, Leonard’s best companion, considers this statement. “There's no harm in that,” he responds, his dressing gown swaying gently. “Preferable to trying to make a mark and causing harm instead.”

For viewers weary by the bluster and constant stimulation of modern television offerings, Leonard and Hungry Paul steps in like a cozy wrap with a hot drink of blackcurrant juice.

Like its quiet characters, Leonard and Hungry Paul – a six-part show developed by the writing duo, adapted from Rónán Hession’s understated book – looks disapprovingly on contemporary society; gazing skeptically through its eyewear toward anything related to loud sounds, quick actions or – perish the thought – an abundance of ambition. The series is, instead, a tribute to quiet people; a subtle homage to people happy to wander below the parapet. And yet. Leonard (one more sublimely idiosyncratic turn from the star) is unsettled. He feels a creeping “urge to throw open the entryways within my world … just a bit.” The recent death of his beloved mother has whisked the rug from under his slippers and Leonard, a ghost writer, now finds himself doubting the paths which led him to where he is (single; defensively moustached; writing a range of educational volumes for an employer who ends correspondence saying “goodbye for now”).

Thus Leonard begins an exploration to find happiness, with the slightly bolder Paul (the actor) functioning as his confidante, guide and partner in a recurring game night functioning as both symposium (“Does the pool feel warm from kids relieving themselves, or do kids pee in it because it’s warm?”) and safe space.

(What's the origin of "Hungry" Paul? It's unclear. The source of the moniker is shrouded to the mists of time. It could be that he previously devoured some food unusually quickly, or reacted to an awkward situation by hastily opening several snacks using his teeth).

Into Leonard’s gentle world comes a new colleague (the performer), a fresh spring-loaded associate who lightheartedly proposes to eliminate Leonard’s appalling boss (the actor) at a fire practice. The swift movement you can hear signals Leonard's peaceful routine experiencing a revolution.

In other scenes during the opening installment of the comedy not heavily plotted and more by what younger viewers may refer to as “vibes”, we meet Paul's father (the ever-wonderful the actor), a tired character who covertly observes, records then replays television game programs to dazzle his loving spouse through his fact recall.

Guiding viewers throughout this minor-key niceness is a narrator who closely resembles – and actually is – the famous actress. Truly, the star. If you are thinking, “undoubtedly the presence of such a famous actor contradicts the series’ unshowy MO and starts off as just an interruption?” that's accurate. Nevertheless, Roberts acquits herself well, and lines like “The issue with Leonard is the missing a ‘eureka’ face” contribute to ensuring that first reservations fade if not full admiration, then certainly understanding.

No more criticism at this time. The show's core has good intentions: that place is “located on a seat alongside similar shows, indicating its preferred bird.” The program that moves gently in comfortable attire, at times staring at the stars, at other times looking toward the ground, serenely certain that no experience is in life as cheering as being with good friends.

Unlock the entryways within your world, a little, and allow it entry.