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In a peaceful area of the city, a man can be found in his driveway, wearing a vest and sharing his concerns. “I notice I'm becoming more silent. Less noticeable,” remarks the protagonist, looking up at the night sky. “Events have unfolded and currently I feel like without a change, I will continue in this quiet, unremarkable life.” Paul, his only and only friend, considers these words. “That's perfectly fine,” he answers, his bathrobe swaying with the wind. “Preferable to attempting to leave an impact and ending up damaging things.”

For anyone exhausted by the chaos and fast pace of current streaming offerings, this series comes as a cozy wrap and a comforting beverage of blackcurrant juice.

In line with its quiet characters, Leonard and Hungry Paul – a six-episode comedy written by its authors, inspired by the novelist’s subtle book – takes a dim view on contemporary society; looking disapprovingly above its spectacles toward anything in the way of disturbances, abrupt changes or – perish the thought – an abundance of ambition. The series on the contrary, a celebration of shyness; a subtle homage of those happy to pootle around out of the spotlight. But. He (another sublimely idiosyncratic portrayal by the actor) is unsettled. He senses a growing “urge to throw open the doors and windows in my existence … slightly.” The recent death of his parent has whisked the rug from under his slippers and the 32-year-old, an anonymous author, now realizes questioning the paths which led him to his current situation (alone; sporting facial hair; working on several kids' reference books for a boss who concludes messages using the words “ciao for now”).

And so Leonard begins on a journey for emotional fulfilment, with the slightly bolder Paul (the actor) serving as his close companion, mentor and co-conspirator during their regular board games evening functioning as both symposium (“Is the water heated because kids pee in it, or is it that kids pee because it’s warm?”) and sanctuary.

(How did Paul get his nickname? It's unclear. The origin of the nickname seems forgotten in mystery. Perhaps Paul previously devoured some food unusually quickly, or reacted to a socially fraught incident by hastily opening several snacks by biting into them).

Entering Leonard's quiet life comes a vibrant character (the actress), a new lively co-worker who lightheartedly proposes to eliminate the awful manager (Paul Reid) during the office fire drill. The rushing noise you can hear signals Leonard's peaceful routine being turned upside down.

In another part in the first episode of the comedy not heavily plotted and more by what the under-30s might call “vibes”, viewers encounter the older generation (the brilliant the performer), a battered sofa of a man who privately views, saves and reviews daytime quiz shows to dazzle his loving spouse with his general knowledge.

Guiding the audience amidst this gentle kindness we hear a narrator that is unmistakably – and truly is – Julia Roberts. Indeed, the celebrity. Should you wonder, “surely the inclusion of such a famous actor contradicts the program's low-key style and starts off as just a distraction?” you're right. However, Roberts acquits herself well, and lines like “The issue with Leonard is his absence of an expression of discovery” help ensure that early misgivings give way if not quite to appreciation, then at minimum tolerance.

But that’s enough grumbling currently. The show's core is well-intentioned: that place is “resting on a bench alongside similar shows, indicating the duck it loves.” The program that moves gently in its sleeveless jumper, at times staring into space, at other times looking toward the ground, quietly confident that no experience is in life as cheering as spending time alongside dear pals.

Unlock the entryways within your world, a little, and allow it entry.