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In a quiet area of the Irish capital, a person stands outside his home, sporting a sleeveless jumper and voicing his concerns. “I notice my voice is fading. Less noticeable,” states Leonard, staring toward the stars. “Circumstances have evolved and now it seems if I don’t do something, I’ll just carry on in this quiet, unremarkable life.” Hungry Paul, Leonard’s best companion, considers the idea. “That's perfectly fine,” he answers, his bathrobe flapping gently. “Superior to striving for recognition and causing harm instead.”

For viewers weary by the noise and constant stimulation of today’s TV offerings, the show steps in like a cozy wrap with a hot drink of a sweet cordial.

Similar to its gentle leads, this comedy – a six-part comedy created by its authors, based on Rónán Hession’s subtle story – casts a critical eye at modern life; peering critically over its spectacles at anything related to unnecessary noise, sudden movements or – goodness forbid – excessive aspiration. This show is, instead, a celebration of shyness; a gentle tribute to people happy to amble along out of the spotlight. However. He (another distinctly original portrayal by the actor) is unsettled. He feels a growing “urge to throw open the doors and windows within my world … just a bit.” The loss of his mother has yanked the floor away from his feet and this young man, a ghost writer, now feels reconsidering the choices that have brought him to his current situation (alone; sporting facial hair; writing multiple educational volumes for a boss who concludes messages using the words “see you later”).

Therefore Leonard starts on a journey for emotional fulfilment, with the slightly bolder Hungry Paul (Laurie Kynaston) serving as his confidante, mentor and partner during their regular board games evening that serves both as symposium (“Is the water heated due to children urinating, or is it that kids pee as it's heated?”) and safe space.

(How did Paul get his nickname? The reason is unknown. The source of the nickname appears lost to the mists of time. Perhaps he on one occasion consumed a sandwich in record time, or answered to a tense moment by hastily opening some food items using his teeth).

Entering Leonard's quiet life cartwheels Shelley (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell), a fresh energetic co-worker who lightheartedly proposes to get rid of his terrible supervisor (the actor) during the office fire drill. The rushing noise noticeable is Leonard’s gentle world experiencing a revolution.

Elsewhere during the opening installment of this program driven less by plot and centered around what a modern audience may refer to as “atmosphere”, we are introduced to Hungry Paul’s dad (the brilliant the actor), a tired character who secretly watches, saves and reviews daytime quiz shows to dazzle his devoted partner using his trivia skills.

Guiding us through all this subtle warmth there is a voiceover that is unmistakably – and actually is – the Hollywood icon. Indeed, Julia Roberts. Should you wonder, “surely the inclusion of a major Hollywood star contradicts the series’ unshowy MO and initially serves only as a diversion?” you're right. Nevertheless, Roberts acquits herself well, and lines for example “The issue with Leonard is that he lacks a ‘eureka’ face” assist in making sure that initial doubts give way though not complete approval, then certainly understanding.

Enough complaining at this time. Leonard and Hungry Paul’s heart is well-intentioned: that place is “located on a seat in the company of gentle comedies, showing its preferred bird.” It’s a series that moves gently in comfortable attire, occasionally looking up at the stars, occasionally down at its slippers, quietly confident that no experience is on Earth as cheering as being in the company of close companions.

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