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In a peaceful neighborhood of the city, a man is standing in his driveway, wearing a sleeveless jumper and sharing his thoughts. “I feel myself getting quieter. Less noticeable,” states the protagonist, gazing into the darkness. “Events have unfolded and at this point it seems unless I take action, I will continue in this quiet, unremarkable life.” Hungry Paul, his only confidant, considers this statement. “Nothing wrong with that,” he replies, his dressing gown moving in the breeze. “Preferable to attempting to leave an impact only to wind up defacing it.”

For those tired by the chaos and fast pace of current streaming terrain, this series comes similar to a warm cover and warming mug of Ribena.

Like its gentle leads, the series – a half-dozen installment program created by its authors, inspired by Rónán Hession’s subtle story – casts a critical eye on contemporary society; peering skeptically above its spectacles at anything in the way of unnecessary noise, sudden movements or – heaven forfend – an abundance of ambition. The series is, instead, an ode to introversion; a gentle tribute for those satisfied to wander below the parapet. And yet. He (one more distinctly original performance from the star) is unsettled. He feels a growing “urge to throw open the openings of my life … slightly.” The recent death of his beloved mother has yanked the floor out from under him and the 32-year-old, a ghost writer, now finds himself questioning the choices that directed him to his current situation (single; with a protective mustache; working on several kids' reference books for a man who concludes emails saying “see you later”).

Thus Leonard begins himself on a quest to find happiness, alongside his more outgoing Paul (the performer) serving as his trusted friend, guide and partner during their regular gaming session that serves both as discussion (“Does the pool feel warm because kids pee in it, or do kids pee in it since it's warm?”) and safe space.

(Why “Hungry” Paul? It's unclear. The source of this name appears lost in history. It could be that the postal worker previously devoured a sandwich in record time, or reacted to an awkward situation by hastily opening four scotch eggs using his teeth).

Into Leonard’s gentle world bursts a vibrant character (the actress), a new spring-loaded co-worker who lightheartedly proposes to get rid of the awful manager (the character) during the office fire drill. The rushing noise noticeable represents Leonard's calm life undergoing a shake-up.

In another part in the first episode of this program not heavily plotted and more on what the under-30s could describe as “vibes”, we meet Hungry Paul’s dad (the ever-wonderful the actor), a battered sofa of a man who covertly observes, records then replays television game programs to amaze his devoted partner with his general knowledge.

Leading us throughout this subtle warmth we hear a narrator that sounds very much like – and actually is – the famous actress. Indeed, Julia Roberts. If you are thinking, “surely the inclusion of a big-name celebrity contradicts the series’ unshowy MO and at first acts merely as a diversion?” that's accurate. However, Roberts does a good job, and phrases like “Leonard's challenge is that he lacks a look of sudden insight” contribute to ensuring that early misgivings yield if not quite to appreciation, then certainly understanding.

Enough complaining at this time. The series' spirit is well-intentioned: which is “resting on a bench in the company of gentle comedies, showing its favourite duck.” This is a show that strolls leisurely in its sleeveless jumper, sometimes gazing upward into space, sometimes downward at its feet, serenely certain that no experience is on Earth as heartening as passing time with close companions.

Open the doors and windows within your world, a little, and let it in.