Leonard and Hungry Paul Overview: A Calming Comedy Narrated by the Famous Actress Brings the Perfect Antidote to Modern Life

In a quiet area of the Irish capital, a person can be found outside his home, sporting a tank top and sharing his concerns. “I feel my voice is fading. Less noticeable,” states Leonard, staring up at the night sky. “Events have unfolded and currently I feel like without a change, my life will proceed in this simple, peaceful routine.” His friend Paul, his only confidant, ponders this statement. “There's no harm in that,” he responds, his bathrobe moving in the breeze. “Better than trying to make a mark only to wind up defacing it.”

For those tired by the chaos and fast pace of today’s TV landscape, this series comes like a cozy wrap and a comforting beverage of blackcurrant juice.

Like its gentle leads, Leonard and Hungry Paul – a six-part show created by its authors, inspired by Rónán Hession’s subtle 2019 novel – looks disapprovingly toward today's world; gazing critically above its spectacles on everything related to disturbances, abrupt changes or – heaven forfend – too much drive. The series rather, a tribute to quiet people; a subtle homage for those content to amble along away from attention. And yet. The character (a further sublimely idiosyncratic performance from Alex Lawther) is unsettled. He notices a creeping “need to open the entryways in my existence … a little.” The loss of his mother has yanked the floor away from his feet and this young man, an anonymous author, now finds himself doubting the decisions that directed him to this point (single; defensively moustached; creating a range of educational volumes for a boss who signs off correspondence saying “ciao for now”).

Thus Leonard launches an exploration for personal satisfaction, alongside his more outgoing Paul (the actor) acting as his close companion, mentor and partner during their regular board games evening functioning as both debate (“Does the pool feel warm from kids relieving themselves, or do kids pee in it as it's heated?”) and safe space.

(What's the origin of "Hungry" Paul? The reason is unknown. The beginning of the moniker is shrouded to the mists of time. It could be that the postal worker previously devoured a sandwich unusually quickly, or reacted to a socially fraught incident by nervously peeling some food items with his teeth).

Entering Leonard's quiet life comes Shelley (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell), a new spring-loaded associate who happily suggests to get rid of his terrible supervisor (the character) at a fire practice. That whooshing sound you can hear signals Leonard's peaceful routine being turned upside down.

Elsewhere in the initial show of a series not heavily plotted and more on what the under-30s may refer to as “vibes”, we are introduced to Hungry Paul’s dad (the ever-wonderful Lorcan Cranitch), a tired character who secretly watches, saves and reviews television game programs to impress his loving spouse through his fact recall.

Shepherding the audience amidst this subtle warmth there is a voiceover who closely resembles – and, indeed, very much is – the famous actress. Truly, the star. If you are thinking, “undoubtedly the use of such a famous actor is at odds with the program's low-key style and initially serves only as a distraction?” you would be correct. However, the actress performs admirably, and lines like “The issue with Leonard is his absence of a look of sudden insight” assist in making sure that initial doubts yield if not quite to appreciation, then certainly understanding.

No more criticism currently. The show's core has good intentions: which is “resting on a bench alongside similar shows, showing the duck it loves.” It’s a series that strolls leisurely in its sleeveless jumper, occasionally looking up at the stars, occasionally down at its feet, serenely certain that nothing is on Earth as cheering as passing time with dear pals.

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