🌿Leonard and Hungry Paul (BBC 2025): Quiet Lives, Big Hearts & The Art of Ordinary Magic 💫

Quiet lives. Big hearts. That’s the world of Leonard and Hungry Paul, BBC’s tender new comedy-drama about friendship, board games, and the quiet courage it takes to live gently in a loud world.

Based on the award-winning novel by Rónán Hession, this upcoming BBC Two and iPlayer series invites viewers to slow down, smile softly, and rediscover life’s small but meaningful moments.

📅 Release Date: October 17, 2025

🎥 Where to Watch: BBC iPlayer | BBC Two | BBC Northern Ireland

🎭 Starring: Alex Lawther, Laurie Kynaston, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell

🎙️ Narrated by: Julia Roberts

🎬 A Gentle Story in a Noisy World

“Friendship isn’t always loud — sometimes it’s just knowing someone gets you.”

Set against the leafy calm of suburban Dublin, Leonard and Hungry Paul follows two thirty-something best friends who find joy in simple routines and late-night board games.

• Leonard (Alex Lawther) is a quiet ghost-writer of children’s encyclopedias who prefers facts over chaos.

• Hungry Paul (Laurie Kynaston) is a part-time postal worker who still lives at home, perfectly content with his easy pace of life.

Their world begins to shift when Leonard’s mother passes away, Hungry Paul’s sister prepares to marry, and Leonard tentatively falls in love. Through it all, the pair’s steady friendship becomes an anchor amid life’s gentle upheavals — proving that you don’t have to be loud to live fully.

💫 A Feel-Good Adaptation with a Literary Heart

Adapted by Richie Conroy and Mark Hodkinson, and directed by Andrew Chaplin, the series remains faithful to Rónán Hession’s bestselling novel — known for its emotional warmth and understated humor.

Expect thoughtful pacing, natural conversations, and moments of quiet observation that speak louder than any plot twist. As one line in the trailer beautifully puts it:

“Not every story needs a hero. Some just need two friends and a board game.”

🎭 Cast: Subtle Brilliance in Every Role

Actor	Character	Known For
Alex Lawther	Leonard	The End of the F**ing World*, Alien: Earth
Laurie Kynaston	Hungry Paul	Fool Me Once, The Sandman
Jamie-Lee O’Donnell	Shelley	Derry Girls, Screw
Helen Behan	—	The Virtues
Lorcan Cranitch	—	Bloodlands
Niamh Branigan	—	Harry Wild
Paul Reid	—	Sherlock & Daughter
Charlotte McCurry	Rhona	Say Nothing
David O’Reilly	—	Doctors
Julia Roberts	Narrator	—

It’s a rare ensemble where every performance feels lived-in — and Julia Roberts’ soothing narration adds a golden touch of warmth.

🌍 Production: Made with Irish Heart & BBC Charm

Produced by Subotica for BBC Northern Ireland in association with BBC Comedy, Screen Ireland, and RTÉ, the series is both Irish at heart and universal in spirit.

✨ Fun Fact: The show’s production team includes names behind Derry Girls, Bloodlands, and Screw — so expect sharp wit alongside quiet emotion.

Executive producers include Tristan Orpen Lynch, Aoife O’Sullivan, and Natalie McAuley, with Andrew Chaplin directing and Julia Roberts lending her voice to the narration.

💬 Themes: Finding Meaning in the Everyday

Leonard and Hungry Paul isn’t about big drama or high stakes — it’s about stillness, kindness, and connection. It celebrates those who prefer calm to chaos and conversation to confrontation.

“While the world rushes, Leonard and Hungry Paul pause.”

It’s a show that feels like a warm cup of tea — best enjoyed slowly.

🎥 Why You’ll Love Leonard and Hungry Paul

✅ Heartfelt storytelling: No villains, just people learning to grow.

✅ Quiet comedy: Witty without trying to be loud.

✅ Cinematic simplicity: Dublin’s suburban calm becomes its own character.

✅ Perfect autumn watch: The ultimate feel-good escape from modern noise.

If you loved Detectorists, Fleabag’s softer moments, or After Life, this show will gently steal your heart.

📺 Streaming & Release Info

Platform	Region	Release Date
BBC iPlayer	UK / NI	October 17, 2025
BBC Two	UK / NI	Autumn 2025
RTÉ Player	Ireland	October 2025
Avalon TV Distribution	Global (TBA)	2026

❓ Leonard and Hungry Paul FAQ

Q1. When will Leonard and Hungry Paul premiere?

📅 The series premieres October 17, 2025 on BBC iPlayer, BBC Two, and BBC Northern Ireland.

Q2. Who stars in the show?

Alex Lawther (The End of the F**ing World*) plays Leonard, and Laurie Kynaston (Fool Me Once) plays Hungry Paul, alongside Jamie-Lee O’Donnell (Derry Girls).

Q3. Is the series based on a book?

Yes — it’s adapted from Rónán Hession’s bestselling novel of the same name, loved for its gentle humor and deep emotional intelligence.

Q4. Who narrates Leonard and Hungry Paul?

The narration is voiced by Julia Roberts, adding warmth and grace to the tone of the series.

Q5. What is Leonard and Hungry Paul about?

It follows two friends in suburban Dublin whose quiet lives change when family, love, and loss nudge them toward new possibilities. It’s a story of friendship, self-discovery, and peace in small things.

🌟 Final Thoughts: A Whisper That Speaks Volumes

In a world obsessed with noise, Leonard and Hungry Paul feels like a soft reminder that you don’t need to shout to be heard.

It’s funny, tender, and wonderfully still — a show that doesn’t demand your attention but earns it with honesty.

“Sometimes the bravest thing you can do… is just be kind.”

🍃 So, when autumn arrives, and the nights grow quiet, grab a blanket and press play — because Leonard and Hungry Paul might just be the gentlest masterpiece of 2025.