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In a quiet area of the Irish capital, an individual is standing on the pavement, sporting a sleeveless jumper and voicing his thoughts. “I feel I'm becoming more silent. More invisible,” states the main character, looking up at the night sky. “Circumstances have evolved and at this point I feel like without a change, I’ll just carry on in this simple, peaceful routine.” His friend Paul, Leonard’s best confidant, reflects on these words. “Nothing wrong with that,” he answers, his dressing gown flapping in the breeze. “Preferable to striving for recognition and causing harm instead.”

For viewers weary by the noise and constant stimulation of modern television landscape, this series comes similar to a foil blanket and a comforting beverage of Ribena.

Similar to its harmless protagonists, this comedy – a half-dozen installment show developed by Richie Conroy and Mark Hodkinson, adapted from Rónán Hession’s understated 2019 novel – looks disapprovingly toward today's world; gazing skeptically over its spectacles at anything in the way of disturbances, sudden movements or – perish the thought – too much drive. The series rather, a tribute to quiet people; a gentle tribute of those content to wander out of the spotlight. However. He (a further sublimely idiosyncratic performance from the star) is uneasy. He feels a growing “desire to unlock the entryways in my existence … just a bit.” The loss of his parent has yanked the floor away from his feet and the 32-year-old, a ghost writer, now finds himself doubting the decisions which led him to where he is (single; with a protective mustache; working on several kids' reference books for a man who concludes messages saying “ciao for now”).

Thus Leonard starts an exploration to find happiness, with the slightly bolder Hungry Paul (the actor) acting as his trusted friend, life coach and co-conspirator during their regular game night which acts as symposium (“Is the water heated from kids relieving themselves, or is it that kids pee as it's heated?”) and sanctuary.

(What's the origin of "Hungry" Paul? No idea. The origin of the nickname seems forgotten in mystery. It could be that Paul previously devoured a snack in record time, or responded to an awkward situation by hastily opening four scotch eggs with his teeth).

Into Leonard’s gentle world cartwheels a new colleague (the actress), a new spring-loaded colleague who lightheartedly proposes to eliminate Leonard’s appalling boss (Paul Reid) at a fire practice. The swift movement you can hear represents Leonard's calm life undergoing a shake-up.

In another part in the first episode of the comedy driven less by plot and centered around what younger viewers might call “vibes”, we meet the older generation (the ever-wonderful the actor), a battered sofa of a man who privately views, records then replays trivia competitions to dazzle his adoring wife through his fact recall.

Shepherding viewers throughout this subtle warmth there is a voiceover that is unmistakably – and truly is – the famous actress. Truly, Julia Roberts. If you are thinking, “certainly the use of such a famous actor contradicts the program's low-key style and starts off as just an interruption?” you're right. However, Roberts does a good job, and lines for example “Leonard’s problem is the missing a ‘eureka’ face” help ensure that early misgivings give way though not complete approval, then at minimum tolerance.

But that’s enough grumbling at this time. The show's core is well-intentioned: which is “located on a seat alongside similar shows, pointing out its favourite duck.” The program that ambles along in comfortable attire, sometimes gazing upward toward the sky, sometimes downward at its feet, serenely certain that nothing is on Earth as uplifting as passing time in the company of good friends.

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