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In a calm area of the Irish capital, an individual can be found outside his home, wearing a sleeveless jumper and sharing his thoughts. “It seems like myself getting quieter. Harder to see,” remarks Leonard, staring toward the stars. “Circumstances have evolved and now I feel like without a change, my life will proceed in this quiet, unremarkable life.” Hungry Paul, his only and only friend, reflects on these words. “Nothing wrong with that,” he answers, his robe flapping with the wind. “Preferable to striving for recognition and ending up damaging things.”

For viewers weary by the noise and rat-tat-tat of current streaming offerings, Leonard and Hungry Paul comes like a cozy wrap with a hot drink of Ribena.

Similar to its quiet characters, the series – a six-episode show developed by its authors, inspired by the novelist’s subtle story – takes a dim view at modern life; peering skeptically above its eyewear toward anything related to disturbances, sudden movements or – heaven forfend – excessive aspiration. This show on the contrary, a tribute to quiet people; a subtle homage of those content to amble along below the parapet. But. Leonard (one more uniquely quirky turn from Alex Lawther) is unsettled. He notices an increasing “need to open the doors and windows of my life … slightly.” The recent death of his mother has whisked the rug out from under him and the 32-year-old, an anonymous author, now realizes reconsidering the choices that have brought him to where he is (single; defensively moustached; creating multiple educational volumes for a man who signs off correspondence with the phrase “goodbye for now”).

Thus Leonard launches on a journey for emotional fulfilment, with the slightly bolder Paul (the performer) functioning as his close companion, guide and co-conspirator during their regular gaming session which acts as debate (“Is the pool warm due to children urinating, or do kids pee in it because it’s warm?”) and sanctuary.

(What's the origin of "Hungry" Paul? It's unclear. The source of the nickname seems forgotten in history. Perhaps Paul on one occasion consumed a snack in record time, or responded to a tense moment by panic-peeling several snacks with his teeth).

Arriving in Leonard's calm existence comes a vibrant character (the actress), a fresh lively co-worker who happily suggests to kill Leonard’s appalling boss (the actor) at a fire practice. The swift movement noticeable represents Leonard's calm life being turned upside down.

In other scenes in the initial show of the comedy driven less by plot and more by what younger viewers could describe as “vibes”, we are introduced to the older generation (the brilliant the actor), a battered sofa of a man who covertly observes, tapes and rewatches daytime quiz shows to amaze his adoring wife through his fact recall.

Guiding viewers amidst this subtle warmth we hear a narrator that sounds very much like – and actually is – the famous actress. Yes, Julia Roberts. If you are thinking, “undoubtedly the presence of a major Hollywood star clashes with the series’ unshowy MO and initially serves only as an interruption?” that's accurate. Nevertheless, Roberts does a good job, and dialogue such as “Leonard’s problem is the missing an expression of discovery” contribute to ensuring that initial doubts give way if not quite to appreciation, then certainly understanding.

No more criticism for now. The series' spirit has good intentions: which is “resting on a bench alongside similar shows, showing the duck it loves.” This is a show that strolls leisurely in its sleeveless jumper, sometimes gazing upward at the stars, occasionally down at its slippers, serenely certain that there is nothing in the world as uplifting as being in the company of dear pals.

Open the doors and windows in your existence, just a bit, and welcome it inside.