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In a peaceful suburb of the Irish capital, an individual can be found outside his home, sporting a tank top and expressing his feelings. “It seems like myself getting quieter. Harder to see,” says the main character, gazing toward the stars. “Circumstances have evolved and currently I believe if I don’t do something, I will continue in this simple, peaceful routine.” Paul, Leonard’s best and only friend, considers these words. “That's perfectly fine,” he answers, his bathrobe swaying gently. “Better than striving for recognition and ending up damaging things.”

For anyone tired by the bluster and constant stimulation of today’s TV landscape, this series steps in like a warm cover with a hot drink of Ribena.

Similar to its gentle leads, this comedy – a six-episode show written by the writing duo, adapted from the author’s quiet story – looks disapprovingly at modern life; peering disapprovingly above its spectacles toward anything that involves loud sounds, abrupt changes or – goodness forbid – too much drive. The program on the contrary, a tribute to quiet people; a subtle homage for those happy to wander below the parapet. But. The character (one more distinctly original portrayal by the actor) is uneasy. He feels a growing “urge to throw open the entryways within my world … just a bit.” The passing of his mother has yanked the floor from under his slippers and the 32-year-old, a ghost writer, now realizes reconsidering the decisions that have brought him to his current situation (alone; defensively moustached; working on a range of children’s encyclopedias for a boss who ends messages using the words “ciao for now”).

Therefore Leonard starts an exploration for emotional fulfilment, alongside his more outgoing Paul (Laurie Kynaston) serving as his trusted friend, guide and ally in a weekly game night which acts as discussion (“Does the pool feel warm from kids relieving themselves, or do kids pee in it because it’s warm?”) and refuge.

(Why “Hungry” Paul? The reason is unknown. The source of the nickname is shrouded to the mists of time. It could be that the postal worker on one occasion consumed a snack in record time, or answered to a tense moment by hastily opening several snacks using his teeth).

Arriving in Leonard's calm existence cartwheels Shelley (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell), a new lively co-worker who lightheartedly proposes to kill the awful manager (the character) during the office fire drill. That whooshing sound audible represents Leonard's calm life experiencing a revolution.

Elsewhere in the initial show of the comedy focused less on story and more by what the under-30s may refer to as “mood”, we meet Hungry Paul’s dad (the ever-wonderful Lorcan Cranitch), a worn-out individual who covertly observes, saves and reviews television game programs to amaze his adoring wife using his trivia skills.

Guiding the audience amidst this minor-key niceness there is a voiceover that sounds very much like – and, indeed, very much is – the famous actress. Yes, Julia Roberts. In case you're considering, “certainly the presence of a big-name celebrity clashes with the program's low-key style and starts off as just a diversion?” you would be correct. Nevertheless, the actress performs admirably, and lines such as “Leonard’s problem is his absence of a look of sudden insight” help ensure that first reservations yield if not full admiration, then at minimum tolerance.

But that’s enough grumbling currently. The series' spirit has good intentions: that place is “resting on a bench alongside similar shows, showing its favourite duck.” This is a show that ambles along in comfortable attire, occasionally looking up toward the sky, occasionally down toward the ground, calmly assured that there is nothing in the world as cheering as spending time with good friends.

Throw open the portals in your existence, just a bit, and allow it entry.