From Civil Servant to Starstruck Author: Julia Roberts Narrates His Hit TV Show!

Rónán Hession is a civil servant from Dublin who became a novelist almost by accident. He wrote a book called Leonard and Hungry Paul, which tells the story of two gentle friends in their thirties who enjoy board games and quiet moments. Leonard is a ghost writer for children's encyclopedias, and Hungry Paul is a part-time postal worker who still lives at home. The book celebrates friendship, first love, and the kindness found in everyday life. Six years after its release, the book has been adapted into a television series by BBC Northern Ireland, and something remarkable happened during its production.

One day, Rónán received an unexpected email from Julia Roberts' personal assistant. At first, he was unsure if it was real, but after checking, he discovered that Julia Roberts was genuinely interested in his book. She described Leonard and Hungry Paul as a 'magical book' and wanted to send him a note about it. Although the conversation faded for a while, Rónán's publisher later mentioned the email to the TV producers. They decided to take a chance and ask Julia Roberts if she would narrate the series. To everyone's surprise, she replied within hours, saying she would love to do it. Julia Roberts, an Oscar-winning actress, became the narrator for the show, adding a touch of Hollywood glamour to the adaptation.

The series features Jamie-Lee O'Donnell from Derry Girls, Alex Lawther from Andor and Alien: Earth, and Laurie Kynaston. Rónán was deeply impressed by the actors' performances, especially Laurie Kynaston's portrayal of Hungry Paul, which was different from the book but still wonderful. He praised Jamie-Lee O'Donnell's charisma and the chemistry between her and Alex Lawther. Rónán also admired how the show managed to capture the book's quiet, thoughtful style, which relies heavily on narration and the characters' inner lives. Seeing his story brought to life on screen left him 'entranced. ' The series will air on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer on Friday, and on BBC Two the following Monday. Rónán's journey from civil servant to novelist, and now to having a Hollywood star narrate his story, shows that sometimes taking a chance can lead to amazing results.