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In a peaceful suburb of Dublin, a person stands on the pavement, wearing a sleeveless jumper and voicing his feelings. “I notice I'm becoming more silent. Less noticeable,” says the main character, staring toward the stars. “Events have unfolded and now it seems unless I take action, I’ll just carry on in this simple, peaceful routine.” His friend Paul, Leonard’s best companion, reflects on these words. “Nothing wrong with that,” he replies, his robe moving in the breeze. “Preferable to trying to make a mark and ending up damaging things.”

For anyone exhausted by the bluster and rat-tat-tat of today’s TV terrain, this series arrives as a foil blanket with a hot drink of Ribena.

Like its quiet characters, this comedy – a six-episode comedy created by Richie Conroy and Mark Hodkinson, inspired by Rónán Hession’s subtle 2019 novel – takes a dim view at modern life; looking critically through its spectacles at anything that involves unnecessary noise, abrupt changes or – perish the thought – too much drive. The program on the contrary, an ode to introversion; a subtle homage of those content to pootle around out of the spotlight. But. The character (a further uniquely quirky turn from the star) feels restless. He senses an increasing “urge to throw open the entryways within my world … slightly.” The passing of his mother has whisked the rug away from his feet and the 32-year-old, a writer for others, now feels reconsidering the paths that have brought him to his current situation (alone; defensively moustached; writing multiple kids' reference books for a boss who ends correspondence saying “goodbye for now”).

Therefore Leonard starts an exploration for emotional fulfilment, accompanied by the somewhat braver friend Paul (the performer) functioning as his close companion, guide and partner in a recurring game night that serves both as debate (“Does the pool feel warm from kids relieving themselves, or is it that kids pee as it's heated?”) and sanctuary.

(What's the origin of "Hungry" Paul? It's unclear. The beginning of the nickname appears lost in mystery. Perhaps the postal worker on one occasion consumed a snack very fast, or reacted to a socially fraught incident by hastily opening four scotch eggs using his teeth).

Into Leonard’s gentle world cartwheels a new colleague (the actress), a recent lively associate who lightheartedly proposes to get rid of his terrible supervisor (the actor) in a workplace safety exercise. The swift movement noticeable signals Leonard's peaceful routine being turned upside down.

In other scenes in the first episode of the comedy driven less by plot and centered around what younger viewers might call “atmosphere”, we are introduced to the older generation (the consistently great the actor), a worn-out individual who covertly observes, saves and reviews daytime quiz shows to dazzle his devoted partner with his general knowledge.

Guiding viewers amidst this minor-key niceness there is a voiceover that sounds very much like – and, indeed, very much is – the Hollywood icon. Indeed, the star. If you are thinking, “surely the use of a big-name celebrity clashes with the series’ unshowy MO and at first acts merely as an interruption?” that's accurate. Nevertheless, the actress performs admirably, and dialogue for example “Leonard's challenge is the missing a look of sudden insight” assist in making sure that first reservations fade if not full admiration, then at minimum tolerance.

But that’s enough grumbling at this time. Leonard and Hungry Paul’s heart is well-intentioned: which is “located on a seat next to the Detectorists, indicating its preferred bird.” The program that moves gently wearing its simple clothes, occasionally looking up toward the sky, sometimes downward toward the ground, serenely certain that no experience is on Earth as uplifting as spending time alongside dear pals.

Unlock the entryways of your life, just a bit, and allow it entry.