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In a quiet area of the city, a man stands in his driveway, dressed in a sleeveless jumper and expressing his concerns. “It seems like I'm becoming more silent. Harder to see,” remarks the main character, looking into the darkness. “Events have unfolded and currently I feel like unless I take action, I will continue in this minor, harmless existence.” Hungry Paul, Leonard’s best and only friend, reflects on this statement. “Nothing wrong with that,” he responds, his dressing gown swaying gently. “Preferable to trying to make a mark and causing harm instead.”

For those tired by the bluster and constant stimulation of modern television terrain, this series comes similar to a warm cover and a comforting beverage of Ribena.

Like its harmless protagonists, the series – a six-part program developed by its authors, inspired by the author’s subtle 2019 novel – casts a critical eye toward today's world; gazing critically above its eyewear toward anything in the way of loud sounds, abrupt changes or – goodness forbid – too much drive. The program on the contrary, a tribute to quiet people; a gentle tribute to people happy to amble along out of the spotlight. And yet. He (a further uniquely quirky turn from the star) is uneasy. He feels a growing “urge to throw open the doors and windows in my existence … slightly.” The passing of his mother has yanked the floor out from under him and this young man, an anonymous author, now finds himself questioning the paths that have brought him to this point (alone; defensively moustached; writing a range of kids' reference books for an employer who concludes emails saying “see you later”).

Therefore Leonard begins himself on a quest to find happiness, accompanied by the somewhat braver Hungry Paul (the performer) functioning as his trusted friend, guide and partner during their regular board games evening functioning as both discussion (“Does the pool feel warm due to children urinating, or is it that kids pee as it's heated?”) and sanctuary.

(Why “Hungry” Paul? The reason is unknown. The beginning of the nickname appears lost to the mists of time. Maybe the postal worker previously devoured some food in record time, or responded to a socially fraught incident by panic-peeling four scotch eggs by biting into them).

Into Leonard’s gentle world cartwheels a new colleague (the performer), a recent spring-loaded co-worker who happily suggests to get rid of his terrible supervisor (Paul Reid) during the office fire drill. The swift movement audible signals Leonard's peaceful routine undergoing a shake-up.

In another part in the first episode of this program not heavily plotted and more on what a modern audience may refer to as “atmosphere”, we meet Paul's father (the ever-wonderful Lorcan Cranitch), a tired character who covertly observes, tapes and rewatches daytime quiz shows to amaze his devoted partner with his general knowledge.

Leading viewers amidst this gentle kindness is a narrator that is unmistakably – and actually is – Julia Roberts. Yes, the celebrity. Should you wonder, “undoubtedly the use of such a famous actor is at odds with the program's low-key style and starts off as just an interruption?” that's accurate. However, the actress performs admirably, and lines for example “Leonard’s problem is that he lacks a look of sudden insight” help ensure that initial doubts give way if not full admiration, then at minimum tolerance.

But that’s enough grumbling currently. Leonard and Hungry Paul’s heart has good intentions: which is “sitting on a park bench alongside similar shows, showing its preferred bird.” The program that strolls leisurely in its sleeveless jumper, sometimes gazing upward into space, sometimes downward at its feet, quietly confident that no experience is in life as heartening as passing time with good friends.

Throw open the portals of your life, slightly, and allow it entry.