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In a peaceful area of Dublin, a man stands on the pavement, wearing a tank top and voicing his concerns. “It seems like my voice is fading. Less noticeable,” says the main character, gazing up at the night sky. “Circumstances have evolved and now I believe unless I take action, my life will proceed in this simple, peaceful routine.” Hungry Paul, his only and only friend, reflects on the idea. “Nothing wrong with that,” he answers, his bathrobe flapping in the breeze. “Preferable to trying to make a mark only to wind up defacing it.”

For anyone tired by the chaos and constant stimulation of today’s TV landscape, this series arrives similar to a warm cover with a hot drink of a sweet cordial.

Like its harmless protagonists, this comedy – a six-episode comedy created by the writing duo, based on Rónán Hession’s understated story – casts a critical eye on contemporary society; looking disapprovingly through its spectacles toward anything in the way of disturbances, sudden movements or – goodness forbid – too much drive. The series rather, a celebration of shyness; a subtle homage to people content to wander away from attention. But. Leonard (a further distinctly original performance from Alex Lawther) is uneasy. He notices an increasing “need to open the doors and windows of my life … slightly.” The loss of his parent has pulled the carpet from under his slippers and the 32-year-old, an anonymous author, now feels questioning the decisions which led him to this point (alone; defensively moustached; working on a range of educational volumes for an employer who signs off emails using the words “see you later”).

Therefore Leonard starts on a journey for emotional fulfilment, accompanied by the somewhat braver friend Paul (the actor) acting as his close companion, mentor and co-conspirator in a weekly game night functioning as both discussion (“Is the water heated due to children urinating, or is it that kids pee as it's heated?”) and sanctuary.

(Why “Hungry” Paul? The reason is unknown. The source of the nickname appears lost in history. It could be that he previously devoured a snack in record time, or responded to an awkward situation by hastily opening several snacks using his teeth).

Entering Leonard's quiet life comes Shelley (the performer), a new lively colleague who happily suggests to eliminate the awful manager (the actor) in a workplace safety exercise. The rushing noise noticeable represents Leonard's calm life undergoing a shake-up.

In another part during the opening installment of the comedy focused less on story and centered around what younger viewers may refer to as “atmosphere”, viewers encounter Paul's father (the consistently great the actor), a tired character who covertly observes, records then replays trivia competitions to amaze his adoring wife through his fact recall.

Leading viewers throughout this minor-key niceness there is a voiceover who closely resembles – and truly is – Julia Roberts. Indeed, Julia Roberts. If you are thinking, “certainly the presence of a major Hollywood star is at odds with the show's modest approach and at first acts merely as a distraction?” you would be correct. However, the actress performs admirably, and lines like “The issue with Leonard is that he lacks an expression of discovery” help ensure that initial doubts give way if not full admiration, then certainly understanding.

Enough complaining for now. Leonard and Hungry Paul’s heart is well-intentioned: that place is “sitting on a park bench in the company of gentle comedies, showing the duck it loves.” This is a show that moves gently in comfortable attire, sometimes gazing upward toward the sky, at other times looking toward the ground, serenely certain that no experience is on Earth as uplifting as passing time with dear pals.

Open the doors and windows of your life, slightly, and let it in.