Leonard and Hungry Paul Analysis: A Calming Show Narrated by the Hollywood Star Provides an Ideal Cure to Modern Life

In a calm suburb of the Irish capital, a man stands in his driveway, sporting a vest and voicing his thoughts. “It seems like myself getting quieter. More invisible,” remarks the main character, looking toward the stars. “One thing’s led to another and currently it seems unless I take action, I’ll just carry on in this quiet, unremarkable life.” Hungry Paul, Leonard’s best confidant, reflects on the idea. “That's perfectly fine,” he answers, his robe swaying gently. “Better than trying to make a mark only to wind up defacing it.”

For anyone tired by the bluster and fast pace of current streaming landscape, this series comes as a foil blanket and warming mug of Ribena.

In line with its harmless protagonists, the series – a six-episode program developed by its authors, based on the author’s understated story – looks disapprovingly toward today's world; looking disapprovingly through its eyewear at anything related to loud sounds, abrupt changes or – perish the thought – an abundance of ambition. The series is, instead, an ode to introversion; a subtle homage of those happy to wander below the parapet. However. He (a further distinctly original portrayal by the actor) is uneasy. He notices a growing “urge to throw open the openings of my life … slightly.” The loss of his mother has whisked the rug away from his feet and Leonard, a writer for others, now finds himself doubting the choices which led him to where he is (single; sporting facial hair; creating several children’s encyclopedias for an employer who signs off correspondence with the phrase “see you later”).

Therefore Leonard launches an exploration for emotional fulfilment, alongside his more outgoing friend Paul (Laurie Kynaston) serving as his trusted friend, mentor and partner during their regular game night which acts as symposium (“Does the pool feel warm due to children urinating, or do children urinate since it's warm?”) and refuge.

(Why “Hungry” Paul? The reason is unknown. The origin of the nickname appears lost in mystery. Maybe he on one occasion consumed some food very fast, or reacted to an awkward situation by nervously peeling four scotch eggs with his teeth).

Entering Leonard's quiet life comes a new colleague (the actress), a recent lively co-worker who happily suggests to get rid of his terrible supervisor (the actor) at a fire practice. The swift movement you can hear is Leonard’s gentle world undergoing a shake-up.

In other scenes in the initial show of this program driven less by plot and more by what the under-30s could describe as “mood”, viewers encounter Paul's father (the brilliant Lorcan Cranitch), a worn-out individual who covertly observes, tapes and rewatches television game programs to dazzle his adoring wife with his general knowledge.

Shepherding us amidst this gentle kindness there is a voiceover that is unmistakably – and actually is – Julia Roberts. Yes, the star. If you are thinking, “surely the presence of a major Hollywood star clashes with the series’ unshowy MO and starts off as just an interruption?” you would be correct. However, the actress performs admirably, and phrases for example “Leonard's challenge is the missing a look of sudden insight” help ensure that initial doubts give way if not full admiration, then at least acceptance.

No more criticism currently. The series' spirit is well-intentioned: which is “sitting on a park bench in the company of gentle comedies, pointing out its favourite duck.” This is a show that ambles along in its sleeveless jumper, at times staring at the stars, at other times looking at its feet, calmly assured that there is nothing on Earth as heartening as spending time in the company of close companions.

Throw open the portals in your existence, just a bit, and let it in.