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In a quiet suburb of the city, a man is standing on the pavement, sporting a vest and sharing his concerns. “I feel my voice is fading. Less noticeable,” says the protagonist, staring toward the stars. “Events have unfolded and now it seems unless I take action, I will continue in this minor, harmless existence.” Paul, Leonard’s best companion, reflects on these words. “That's perfectly fine,” he responds, his robe moving in the breeze. “Superior to trying to make a mark and causing harm instead.”

For those weary by the noise and fast pace of modern television landscape, the show arrives like a cozy wrap and a comforting beverage of Ribena.

Like its harmless protagonists, the series – a six-part program written by its authors, based on the novelist’s quiet 2019 novel – casts a critical eye on contemporary society; gazing disapprovingly over its spectacles at anything that involves loud sounds, quick actions or – perish the thought – an abundance of ambition. This show on the contrary, a celebration of shyness; a gentle tribute of those satisfied to wander out of the spotlight. However. Leonard (one more distinctly original turn from Alex Lawther) is uneasy. He feels a creeping “desire to unlock the openings of my life … just a bit.” The passing of his parent has whisked the rug away from his feet and this young man, an anonymous author, now finds himself questioning the paths that have brought him to where he is (alone; defensively moustached; creating several kids' reference books for a man who signs off messages with the phrase “ciao for now”).

Thus Leonard launches on a journey to find happiness, with the slightly bolder friend Paul (Laurie Kynaston) serving as his confidante, life coach and co-conspirator during their regular game night that serves both as debate (“Is the pool warm because kids pee in it, or do kids pee in it as it's heated?”) and safe space.

(Why “Hungry” Paul? No idea. The origin of the moniker appears lost in history. It could be that he on one occasion consumed a snack very fast, or responded to an awkward situation by nervously peeling some food items using his teeth).

Into Leonard’s gentle world cartwheels Shelley (the actress), a fresh energetic colleague who cheerily offers to get rid of the awful manager (the actor) during the office fire drill. The swift movement noticeable signals Leonard's peaceful routine experiencing a revolution.

Elsewhere during the opening installment of a series not heavily plotted and centered around what younger viewers may refer to as “vibes”, viewers encounter the older generation (the consistently great Lorcan Cranitch), a tired character who secretly watches, records then replays television game programs to impress his devoted partner with his general knowledge.

Guiding us throughout this gentle kindness we hear a narrator that is unmistakably – and, indeed, very much is – Julia Roberts. Yes, the star. In case you're considering, “certainly the inclusion of such a famous actor is at odds with the show's modest approach and at first acts merely as a diversion?” you're right. Nevertheless, the actress performs admirably, and dialogue like “Leonard's challenge is that he lacks an expression of discovery” contribute to ensuring that first reservations yield though not complete approval, then at minimum tolerance.

Enough complaining currently. The show's core is well-intentioned: which is “sitting on a park bench alongside similar shows, indicating its favourite duck.” This is a show that strolls leisurely in comfortable attire, sometimes gazing upward into space, occasionally down at its slippers, serenely certain that no experience is in the world as uplifting as spending time alongside close companions.

Throw open the portals of your life, a little, and welcome it inside.