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In a peaceful suburb of the city, a man can be found on the pavement, wearing a sleeveless jumper and sharing his thoughts. “I notice myself getting quieter. More invisible,” remarks the protagonist, looking into the darkness. “One thing’s led to another and currently I believe without a change, I’ll just carry on in this simple, peaceful routine.” Hungry Paul, his only confidant, considers this statement. “That's perfectly fine,” he responds, his robe flapping in the breeze. “Preferable to striving for recognition and ending up damaging things.”

For those exhausted by the chaos and rat-tat-tat of current streaming landscape, Leonard and Hungry Paul arrives similar to a warm cover and a comforting beverage of blackcurrant juice.

Like its harmless protagonists, Leonard and Hungry Paul – a six-part program created by the writing duo, inspired by Rónán Hession’s subtle book – casts a critical eye toward today's world; peering disapprovingly over its eyewear at anything related to unnecessary noise, sudden movements or – heaven forfend – too much drive. The series is, instead, an ode to introversion; a quiet celebration for those content to amble along away from attention. But. He (another distinctly original performance from Alex Lawther) is uneasy. He feels an increasing “need to open the entryways in my existence … just a bit.” The recent death of his beloved mother has pulled the carpet away from his feet and Leonard, a ghost writer, now finds himself doubting the choices which led him to where he is (unattached; sporting facial hair; working on several educational volumes for a man who concludes emails using the words “ciao for now”).

Therefore Leonard begins himself on a quest for personal satisfaction, with the slightly bolder Hungry Paul (the actor) functioning as his trusted friend, life coach and co-conspirator during their regular board games evening which acts as discussion (“Is the water heated from kids relieving themselves, or do children urinate since it's warm?”) and sanctuary.

(What's the origin of "Hungry" Paul? It's unclear. The origin of this name is shrouded to the mists of time. It could be that the postal worker on one occasion consumed some food in record time, or responded to a tense moment by nervously peeling some food items using his teeth).

Entering Leonard's quiet life cartwheels Shelley (the performer), a recent lively co-worker who lightheartedly proposes to eliminate the awful manager (the character) at a fire practice. The swift movement you can hear signals Leonard's peaceful routine experiencing a revolution.

In other scenes in the initial show of this program focused less on story and more by what a modern audience may refer to as “mood”, we are introduced to the older generation (the brilliant the actor), a worn-out individual who covertly observes, saves and reviews trivia competitions to dazzle his devoted partner with his general knowledge.

Shepherding us through all this gentle kindness is a narrator that sounds very much like – and actually is – the Hollywood icon. Truly, the star. Should you wonder, “certainly the use of a big-name celebrity is at odds with the show's modest approach and starts off as just a distraction?” that's accurate. However, Roberts does a good job, and dialogue such as “Leonard's challenge is the missing a ‘eureka’ face” contribute to ensuring that early misgivings fade though not complete approval, then certainly understanding.

But that’s enough grumbling currently. The series' spirit is in the right place: which is “located on a seat next to the Detectorists, indicating its preferred bird.” The program that ambles along in comfortable attire, occasionally looking up toward the sky, sometimes downward at its feet, serenely certain that no experience is in the world as cheering as passing time in the company of good friends.

Throw open the portals within your world, a little, and let it in.