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In a quiet neighborhood of the Irish capital, a man can be found on the pavement, dressed in a tank top and expressing his thoughts. “I feel myself getting quieter. Harder to see,” states Leonard, looking into the darkness. “One thing’s led to another and now I feel like if I don’t do something, I will continue in this minor, harmless existence.” His friend Paul, Leonard’s best companion, reflects on this statement. “There's no harm in that,” he responds, his bathrobe swaying with the wind. “Superior to attempting to leave an impact only to wind up defacing it.”

For anyone weary by the chaos and fast pace of current streaming terrain, this series comes as a foil blanket and a comforting beverage of a sweet cordial.

Like its harmless protagonists, this comedy – a six-episode comedy written by its authors, based on the author’s quiet 2019 novel – takes a dim view toward today's world; looking disapprovingly over its spectacles toward anything that involves unnecessary noise, quick actions or – goodness forbid – too much drive. The series is, instead, a tribute to quiet people; a quiet celebration for those happy to wander out of the spotlight. And yet. Leonard (another distinctly original turn from the star) feels restless. He notices a growing “desire to unlock the doors and windows of my life … a little.” The passing of his mother has pulled the carpet away from his feet and the 32-year-old, a ghost writer, now finds himself doubting the choices which led him to his current situation (alone; sporting facial hair; creating several kids' reference books for a boss who signs off correspondence with the phrase “goodbye for now”).

Thus Leonard starts an exploration for personal satisfaction, alongside his more outgoing Paul (the actor) functioning as his trusted friend, mentor and co-conspirator during their regular game night that serves both as debate (“Is the water heated from kids relieving themselves, or do children urinate as it's heated?”) and sanctuary.

(What's the origin of "Hungry" Paul? It's unclear. The origin of the nickname seems forgotten in mystery. It could be that the postal worker previously devoured a snack unusually quickly, or reacted to a tense moment by panic-peeling four scotch eggs with his teeth).

Into Leonard’s gentle world cartwheels a vibrant character (the actress), a recent energetic associate who lightheartedly proposes to get rid of his terrible supervisor (Paul Reid) at a fire practice. The swift movement you can hear represents Leonard's calm life experiencing a revolution.

Elsewhere in the initial show of the comedy not heavily plotted and more on what younger viewers may refer to as “mood”, we are introduced to Paul's father (the consistently great the actor), a tired character who secretly watches, tapes and rewatches trivia competitions to dazzle his adoring wife through his fact recall.

Leading the audience throughout this gentle kindness there is a voiceover that is unmistakably – and, indeed, very much is – the Hollywood icon. Indeed, Julia Roberts. If you are thinking, “undoubtedly the inclusion of a big-name celebrity is at odds with the show's modest approach and starts off as just an interruption?” that's accurate. Nevertheless, the actress performs admirably, and phrases for example “The issue with Leonard is the missing a look of sudden insight” assist in making sure that first reservations yield if not quite to appreciation, then at minimum tolerance.

Enough complaining at this time. The show's core is in the right place: that place is “resting on a bench next to the Detectorists, pointing out its preferred bird.” This is a show that strolls leisurely in comfortable attire, at times staring into space, occasionally down at its slippers, quietly confident that there is nothing in the world as heartening as being in the company of close companions.

Unlock the entryways within your world, slightly, and welcome it inside.