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In a calm neighborhood of the Irish capital, a person stands in his driveway, wearing a tank top and expressing his concerns. “I feel I'm becoming more silent. More invisible,” states the protagonist, gazing toward the stars. “One thing’s led to another and now it seems unless I take action, my life will proceed in this quiet, unremarkable life.” His friend Paul, Leonard’s best and only friend, reflects on these words. “There's no harm in that,” he answers, his dressing gown flapping gently. “Superior to attempting to leave an impact and causing harm instead.”

For those exhausted by the noise and constant stimulation of today’s TV offerings, the show comes like a cozy wrap with a hot drink of a sweet cordial.

In line with its gentle leads, this comedy – a six-episode show written by Richie Conroy and Mark Hodkinson, inspired by the author’s subtle book – takes a dim view at modern life; gazing disapprovingly through its eyewear on everything in the way of unnecessary noise, sudden movements or – heaven forfend – an abundance of ambition. This show rather, a tribute to quiet people; a subtle homage to people content to pootle around away from attention. But. Leonard (one more distinctly original portrayal by the actor) is uneasy. He feels an increasing “desire to unlock the entryways in my existence … slightly.” The recent death of his parent has pulled the carpet out from under him and the 32-year-old, a ghost writer, now realizes questioning the choices which led him to where he is (unattached; with a protective mustache; creating a range of kids' reference books for an employer who ends messages using the words “ciao for now”).

Therefore Leonard begins an exploration to find happiness, accompanied by the somewhat braver friend Paul (the actor) functioning as his close companion, guide and partner in a weekly gaming session which acts as debate (“Does the pool feel warm due to children urinating, or do kids pee in it as it's heated?”) and sanctuary.

(How did Paul get his nickname? It's unclear. The source of the moniker is shrouded in history. Maybe the postal worker on one occasion consumed some food in record time, or answered to a socially fraught incident by nervously peeling four scotch eggs with his teeth).

Into Leonard’s gentle world comes a new colleague (the performer), a recent spring-loaded associate who happily suggests to get rid of Leonard’s appalling boss (the character) in a workplace safety exercise. The swift movement audible represents Leonard's calm life experiencing a revolution.

In another part during the opening installment of this program not heavily plotted and more on what the under-30s may refer to as “atmosphere”, viewers encounter Paul's father (the consistently great the performer), a worn-out individual who privately views, records then replays daytime quiz shows to dazzle his devoted partner with his general knowledge.

Leading viewers throughout this subtle warmth is a narrator that sounds very much like – and actually is – Julia Roberts. Truly, the celebrity. In case you're considering, “certainly the use of a big-name celebrity contradicts the series’ unshowy MO and starts off as just a distraction?” you're right. Nevertheless, Roberts acquits herself well, and phrases for example “Leonard’s problem is the missing a ‘eureka’ face” help ensure that initial doubts yield if not full admiration, then at least acceptance.

Enough complaining for now. The series' spirit is in the right place: the right place being “sitting on a park bench next to the Detectorists, pointing out the duck it loves.” This is a show that strolls leisurely wearing its simple clothes, occasionally looking up at the stars, at other times looking at its slippers, quietly confident that nothing is in life as heartening as passing time with close companions.

Throw open the portals within your world, a little, and allow it entry.