!["Leonard and Hungry Paul" stars [from left] Jamie-Lee O’Donnell as Shelley, Alex Lawther as Leonard and Laurie Kynaston as Hungry Paul](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E4sAcyBDiTT8FYrCbsxQBD-1008-80.jpg.webp)
"Leonard and Hungry Paul" narrated by Julia Roberts premiered in the U.K. on BBC NI on October 17, 2025 (hence the availability on BBC iPlayer before the U.K.-wide BBC 2 broadcast three days later) to rave reviews for a gentle show based on an understated book which has been called "an ode to introspection." As you may have already deduced, Hollywood superstar Julia Roberts loved the book and did not take much persuading to get involved with the TV show...
Here's how to watch "Leonard and Hungry Paul" narrated by Julia Roberts online from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for FREE
"Leonard and Hungry Paul" narrated by Julia Roberts lands on BBC Two at 10 p.m. BST on Monday, October 20 but is available to watch on BBC iPlayer NOW.
• WATCH FREE — BBC Two / BBC iPlayer (U.K.)
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
Leonard is a ghost writer in his thirties and is quite content living with his mother and playing board games with his best friend, Hungry Paul (we never find out how he got his nickname). When his mother dies he has to face up to life with the world outside his front door.
It turns out that it's a big and daunting world out there and there's no escaping its casual cruelties and let downs but through all that Leonard meets Shelley and eventually starts dating while postman Hungry Paul is shortlisted for an email sign-off phrase competition and attends the awards ceremony with his family.
*NO SPOILERS* but ultimately the message seems to be that there is comfort to be found in simple things and the power of friendship in the real world is under-appreciated in these digitally-obsessed times. Turn off, tune in, make yourself a cup of tea and play a boardgame with your bestie.
Read on for those year's nominees and to find out how to watch the 'Leonard and Hungry Paul' narrated by Julia Roberts online, on TV and from anywhere.
How to watch 'Leonard and Hungry Paul' narrated by Julia Roberts for FREE in the U.K.
How to watch 'Leonard and Hungry Paul' narrated by Julia Roberts from abroad
Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), "Leonard and Hungry Paul" narrated by Julia Roberts should be available to Brits no matter where they are. The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you find yourself. Our favorite is NordVPN.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're away from the U.K. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and watch the show. Head to BBC iPlayer to watch "Leonard and Hungry Paul" narrated by Julia Roberts online and on-demand.
How to watch 'Leonard and Hungry Paul' narrated by Julia Roberts around the world
Can I watch 'Leonard and Hungry Paul' narrated by Julia Roberts in the United States?
Unfortunately, "Leonard and Hungry Paul" narrated by Julia Roberts is not available to stream in the U.S. as yet. When that changes you'll read about it here first.
However, if you are a Brit in the States for work or on vacation you can catch the show for FREE now by using a VPN such as NordVPN, choosing U.K. from the list and selecting BBC iPlayer.
Watch 'Leonard and Hungry Paul' narrated by Julia Roberts online and on-demand in the U.K.
"Leonard and Hungry Paul" narrated by Julia Roberts lands on BBC Two at 10 p.m. BST on Monday, October 20 but is available to watch on BBC iPlayer NOW.
And, you don't have to miss it if you a Brit exiled abroad because you can unblock BBC iPlayer with a VPN. We recommend NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Leonard and Hungry Paul' narrated by Julia Roberts' online or on TV in Canada?
As with the U.S., "Leonard and Hungry Paul" narrated by Julia Roberts is not available to stream in Canada.
However, if you are a Brit in the Great White North for work or on vacation you can catch the show on your own domestic streaming platform by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Leonard and Hungry Paul' narrated by Julia Roberts online in Australia?
At the time of writing there has been no announcement about if or where "Leonard and Hungry Paul" narrated by Julia Roberts will be broadcast in Australia. If that changes you'll read about it here first.
However, if you are a Brit working or on vacation Down Under and you want to catch the show on the BBC you can do so by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Leonard and Hungry Paul' narrated by Julia Roberts online in New Zealand?
There are currently no plans to air "Leonard and Hungry Paul" narrated by Julia Roberts in New Zealand but it could turn up on BBC First via SKY. You'll read about its release date here first, so check back.
Remember, if you are a Brit currently in the land of the kiwi for work or vacation you can catch the show on BBC iPlayer by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
'Leonard and Hungry Paul' - Cast
- Laurie Kynaston - Hungry Paul
- Helen Behan - Helen
- Niamh Branigan - Grace
- Lorcan Cranitch - Peter
- Kathleen Reen - Mrs. Hawthorn
- Paul Reid - Mark Baxter
- David O'Reilly - Greg
- Tony Cantwell - Radio DJ (voice)
- Charlotte McCurry - Rhona
- Leon Foy-Habib - Young Leonard
- Kelly Campbell - Wendy Davenport
- Sylvain Levitte - Arno the Mime
- Emmy Nolan - Isabelle
- Amelia Crowley - Elizabeth
- James Cosgrave - Sensei
- Mark Doherty - Finbar
- Tara Flynn - Gloria Grimes
- Eneni Anthony - Deirdre
- Jo Dow - Uncle Michael
- Helena Browne - Barbara
- Fabiano Roggio - Chef Marco
- Brid McCarthy - Shop Lady
- Paul Tylak - Quiz Show Host
- Zachary Murdiff – Patrick
- Alex Lawther - Leonard
- Jamie-Lee O'Donnell - Shelley
- And, of course, ...
- Julia Roberts - Self (Narrator)
'Leonard and Hungry Paul' - Episode Guide
Season 01 Episode 01: After his mother’s death, Leonard begins to open up his world with the help of a new colleague, Shelley. His best friend, Hungry Paul, reluctantly volunteers at the hospital.
S01 E02: With Shelley on his mind, Leonard decides to simply talk to her. As he tries to overcome his nerves, Mark Baxter asks her out, and though she declines, Leonard is disheartened. Muttering Mark’s chat-up lines, he is overheard by Rhona, who thinks he is asking her on a date. It is calamitous; Rhona gets drunk and demands to see the chef, revealed to be her ex-boyfriend. Leonard realises he has been set up but he’s left smiling when Shelley delights in the disaster and they bond. His universe is expanding after all. Across town, Hungry Paul decides to enter an exciting competition.
S01 E03: During his shift as a casual postman, Hungry Paul delivers a letter to himself with good news. Leonard successfully asks Shelley to lunch and they spend an hour together, which feels like the start of something. With a date planned for that evening, Leonard cancels his usual game night with Hungry Paul. Discombobulated, Hungry Paul goes to visit Mrs Hawthorn but on the way he discovers the chocolates his mother bought for the hospital nurses are out of date. Incensed, he brings them to the local shop and demands recompense. Elsewhere, Leonard and Shelley go on a first date.
S01 E04: After a successful first date, Leonard is head over heels for Shelley but is unnerved when he hears she is going to the cinema with a man called Patrick that evening. After obsessively questioning who Patrick might be, Leonard knows he must ask Shelley outright. Elsewhere, Hungry Paul has been shortlisted for the email sign-off phrase competition and attends the awards ceremony with his family. The outcome leads to a new opportunity for Hungry Paul with the National Mime Association.
S01 E05: Leonard gets positive feedback on his new children’s book proposal. Encouraged, he asks Shelley to go on another date, which doesn’t go to plan. Meanwhile, Hungry Paul attends an unusual job interview to become the new spokesperson for the National Mime Association.
S01 E06: Leonard learns the fate of his book proposal and of his future with Shelley. On the eve of her wedding, Grace feels held back by her responsibility towards her younger brother. Hungry Paul attends his sister’s wedding and starts a new venture to reintroduce people to silence.
'Leonard and Hungry Paul' narrated by Julia Roberts - FAQ
Just how did Oscar winner Julia Roberts end up narrating a story based on a 2019 book written by Rónán Hession, an unassuming civil servant in Dublin?
Hession received an email out of the blue a few years ago. It read: "'I'm Julia Roberts' PA. If you don't believe me, look me up." He did, it was and the actress wanted to tell him how much she liked his book of the same name. When TV picked up the rights to make the show, the author's publisher mentioned the email to the producers, they made contact with the PA and asked if her boss might fancy narrating it. She did and here she is. As they say, if you don't ask, you don't get.
What else can I watch on BBC iPlayer?
Lots – including "Riot Women", "Mr Nobody Against Putin", "Tár", "Doctor Who: Joy to the World", "Strictly Come Dancing", "Outnumbered" and plenty more.
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