🔗 Share this article

In a peaceful area of Dublin, a person can be found on the pavement, wearing a sleeveless jumper and sharing his thoughts. “It seems like myself getting quieter. Less noticeable,” says the main character, gazing up at the night sky. “Circumstances have evolved and now I feel like if I don’t do something, I will continue in this quiet, unremarkable life.” Paul, his only companion, reflects on this statement. “That's perfectly fine,” he responds, his dressing gown swaying in the breeze. “Better than striving for recognition and ending up damaging things.”

For viewers tired by the chaos and constant stimulation of today’s TV offerings, the show steps in like a cozy wrap and warming mug of a sweet cordial.

Like its gentle leads, the series – a six-part comedy developed by its authors, inspired by the author’s quiet story – takes a dim view toward today's world; peering disapprovingly over its spectacles on everything that involves loud sounds, abrupt changes or – heaven forfend – too much drive. The program rather, an ode to introversion; a subtle homage for those content to wander below the parapet. However. The character (one more sublimely idiosyncratic portrayal by the actor) is uneasy. He feels a growing “urge to throw open the entryways in my existence … a little.” The recent death of his beloved mother has whisked the rug out from under him and the 32-year-old, an anonymous author, now finds himself questioning the decisions that have brought him to his current situation (single; sporting facial hair; creating several kids' reference books for an employer who ends correspondence using the words “see you later”).

Thus Leonard starts an exploration for emotional fulfilment, accompanied by the somewhat braver Paul (Laurie Kynaston) serving as his confidante, mentor and ally during their regular gaming session functioning as both discussion (“Is the pool warm from kids relieving themselves, or is it that kids pee as it's heated?”) and sanctuary.

(Why “Hungry” Paul? No idea. The origin of the moniker appears lost to the mists of time. Maybe Paul on one occasion consumed a sandwich unusually quickly, or responded to an awkward situation by hastily opening several snacks with his teeth).

Into Leonard’s gentle world comes Shelley (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell), a fresh energetic colleague who cheerily offers to kill Leonard’s appalling boss (the actor) during the office fire drill. That whooshing sound audible is Leonard’s gentle world undergoing a shake-up.

Elsewhere in the initial show of this program focused less on story and more by what younger viewers could describe as “mood”, we are introduced to Hungry Paul’s dad (the ever-wonderful the performer), a tired character who secretly watches, records then replays trivia competitions to amaze his devoted partner with his general knowledge.

Shepherding the audience throughout this gentle kindness we hear a narrator who closely resembles – and truly is – Julia Roberts. Yes, Julia Roberts. In case you're considering, “certainly the inclusion of a major Hollywood star clashes with the program's low-key style and starts off as just a diversion?” that's accurate. However, Roberts does a good job, and phrases like “Leonard’s problem is his absence of an expression of discovery” help ensure that first reservations give way though not complete approval, then at least acceptance.

But that’s enough grumbling currently. The show's core is well-intentioned: that place is “resting on a bench next to the Detectorists, pointing out the duck it loves.” The program that strolls leisurely wearing its simple clothes, sometimes gazing upward at the stars, sometimes downward toward the ground, calmly assured that there is nothing in life as cheering as passing time with dear pals.

Unlock the entryways of your life, just a bit, and welcome it inside.