Leonard and Hungry Paul, which launches on the BBC on Friday, is produced by Subotica for the BBC.
Based on the novel by Rónán Hession, it has been adapted for the BBC by writers Richie Conroy and Mark Hodkinson.
The series stars Alex Lawther (The End Of The F***ing World, Alien: Earth) as Leonard, Laurie Kynaston (Fool Me Once, Sandman) as Hungry Paul and Jamie-Lee O’Donnell (Derry Girls, Screw) as Shelley, with Julia Roberts as the show’s narrator.
Leonard And Hungry Paul is a production for BBC Northern Ireland in association with BBC Comedy, Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland and RTÉ, and a co-production with Avalon which will distribute the show internationally.
Andrew Chaplin is series director.
What was your reaction to the novel when you first read it?
Pure joy. Rónán Hession has created such a beautiful, magical and gentle world, one I loved stepping into. Reading it felt like a warm hug as it celebrates the smaller moments in life which often get overlooked. I knew straight away that if I could capture even a fraction of that spirit on screen, it would be something special.
How did you come to bring it to the screen?
I was approached by a friend who works in development for the production company, and as soon as I read the book I felt a real connection to it. Particularly in the way it portrayed men and male friendships. During production we kept saying the show had to be ‘a hug of a half hour of television’ and for me as the Director that meant constantly navigating the line between heartwarming, funny, sad, and uplifting. Trying to make something genuinely charming is much harder than it seems – it’s delicate, it’s precise – but it was also the joy of this project.
Can you tell us about working with the key cast members?
Working with this cast was a gift. Alex, Laurie and Jamie-Lee brought a generosity and gentleness to their performances that really matched the spirit of the book. Their ability to ground the humour and warmth in something deeply human and relatable was a dream to direct. We had a lot of fun on set, but there was also a real sense of care in how these characters were portrayed. I couldn’t have asked for a better group to bring Leonard and Hungry Paul’s world to life.
What were the key themes that drew you to the story?
At its heart, the story is about kindness, friendship, and the quiet heroism of everyday life. I was drawn to how it celebrates people who live a little outside the spotlight, and shows that small gestures, silence, and stillness can be just as meaningful as grand actions. It’s a story about connection and hope – and those felt like themes worth championing right now.
What was your reaction to Julia Roberts being cast as the narrator?
To say we were thrilled is an understatement. Julia Roberts is genuine Hollywood royalty, and for her to join our cast is a dream come true for all involved. On top of that, Julia brings a warmth, wit, and playfulness that feels like such a natural fit for the tone of the story. Having her voice guide the audience through this world really elevates the whole piece.
This interview was conducted by the BBC
Pippa Considine
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